The Coffee Shop Mare
Chapter 1
Time for work

Fade lay in bed, blanket on the floor. One hind leg hanging over the edge. His chest rising and falling as he breathed. Snoring could easily be heard throughout his house. The clock on his nightstand went off. Beep, beep, beep. The gray coated stallion grunted and hit the shut off button on the alarm. He slowly got out of bed.

“Five o’clock. Time to go in to work and make sure Java’s awake.” He thought before leaving his room. He went to the bathroom and began to run water in his tub. His horn lit and turned the knobs. He used a hoof to gauge the water’s temperature. He fiddled with the knobs till the temperature was acceptable. He stepped in, and felt the lukewarm water against his fur.

“Gotta love morning showers.” He said aloud as steam began to fill the room. He grabbed the shampoo in his magic and squirted it in his mane, tail and coat. A loofah that hung on the wall was covered in a light red glow. He used the loofah to scrub the shampoo into his mane and coat. Levitating the loofah back into place, he let the water do its job. Washing all the shampoo from his body. Stepping out of the shower he shook out his coat. A towel wrapped in his magical aura began to dry him off. Once done he gelled and styled his mane. He had a local DJ with the style and decided to use it himself.

He went from the washroom to his room, down the stairs and to the kitchen. He looked at the stove. “I’ll eat breakfast at the shop.” He trotted through the kitchen living room. He stopped at the door and used his magic to put on his saddle bags. He left his house and sauntered down the streets of Ponyville. He took in a deep breath of the early morning air.

“I wish I didn't have to go in so early.” He thought. “I wouldn't want her to hurt herself though. The clumsy mare.”

He greeted a few other ponies who were on their morning commutes. He arrived at the coffee shop. The sign on the door said closed. Keys left his saddle bag and unlocked the door. He pushed it open and the bell gave a soft tinkle. The smell of coffee never left the little shop. He trotted past the various tables and the counter.

“Time to get started.” He levitated his apron from its hook and put it on. Then went to the sink and washed his hooves. Five coffee pots levitated to the sink and filled with water. Then back to the machines and filled them. One filter filled with coffee grounds fell into place in the coffee pots. The machines flipped on and coffee started falling into the pots.

“Now to see what we have on the menu for today.” He thought as he looked up at the board. “Blank. I guess she didn't change it yesterday. Better go wake her.”

He trotted through the back and up the stairs. He knocked on the door and waited for a few minutes. When no answer came he used his key to unlock the door. Peaking inside he called out.

"Java, you awake?" Silence. He opened the door and stepped in. Fluffy, the shop owner’s hairless cat greeted him with a soft meow.

“Hi fluffy, Java still asleep?” He chuckled softly. Every morning he had to wake her it was the same routine. He trotted into the bedroom. There in bed, still sleeping, was the shop owner. She was a beautiful mare. Her coat was a light cream color and she had a flowing reddish-brown mane and tail. He totted over and shook her

. “Java, it’s time to get up.” He said and took a step back. She stirred as her lovely, light green eyes fluttered open.

“Morning Fade.” She said as she attempted to get out of bed. She slipped on her cover and toppled onto the floor. Landing face first.

“Are you okay?” Fade asked as he came over to help her up.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” Her voice, though a bit annoyed, was as sweet as honey.

“You need to be more careful. I swear, you are the clumsiest mare I've ever met.” Fade chuckled. He levitated her glasses onto her face.
“Come on, you didn't change the menu and we have to start on breakfast.” Fade said turning towards the bedroom door.

They trotted out of the room and down the stairs. He pulled the whiteboard down with his magic and sat it on the counter. Java grabbed a marker and wrote down the days specials. When she had finished, Fade hung the board. It now read, “Breakfast: Sugared oats. Lunch: Spring salad with ripe red tomatoes.” Beside the specials board hung a menu with all the different coffees and a few other assorted drinks. Fade went to work and started a few pots of oats. He checked the clock.

“Twenty till six. Almost opening time. Guess I’ll see if any dishes need washing. Can you watch the oats Java?” He asked turning to the mare.

“Of course Fade, I am an adult you know.”

He chuckled. “Yes, but we wouldn't want any accidents, now would we?” Java gave a sheepish grin.

“I’ll be careful, I promise.” With that she turned and got a wooden spoon from the drawer and stirred the oats. Fade went to the sink and began to wash and dry the plates and saucers the shop used to serve food, coffee and tea.

“Oops, forgot to start the tea.” Fade said as he finished washing the last of the dishes. He put the dishes away and started making an assortment of teas. Earl grey, jade, jasmine, and chamomile. At six he walked over and flipped the sign from closed to open. After about twenty minutes a few customers entered. They made their orders of oats and coffee. Fade acted as waiter. Taking the customers their assorted orders.

“Fade, we need some dishes washed. I’ll take over as waiter.”

Fade sighed. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to burn yourself.”

She huffed. “I can handle a few cups of coffee.” She turned the stove on low so the oats wouldn't burn. Fade went to washing his dishes.

A mare came in and order a cappuccino. Java set out a small saucer and placed a coffee cup on it and set it into the cappuccino machine. Balancing the coffee on her head she slowly walked over to the mares table.

“See Fade, told you I could handle it.” In that moment, her concentration broke and the coffee toppled onto the floor. The cup and saucer shattered.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I’ll fetch another cup right away.” She trotted to the closet and fetched a broom, towel, and dustpan. Sweeping up the shattered glass. Then drying up the coffee.

“Broke another one.” She sighed and went back behind the counter, throwing the broken glass away. She prepared another cappuccino and took it to the customer.

“Sorry for the wait, I dropped the first cup. Clumsy me.” She chuckled. The Mare smiled and replied.

“No problem. Your coffee is the best in town and worth the wait.” The mare happily drank her coffee and left. The day passed without many more accidents. A few broken plates and cups. The worst was when Java burnt herself.

Java was carrying a hot cup of Chamomile tea to a mare. Fluffy had wondered down from her upstairs apartment and was walking through the shop. Java hadn't noticed the cat walk in front of her and tripped over her. The cup and saucer clattered to the floor, unfortunately the tea had spilled onto her foreleg.

"Ow, buck that's hot." Fade saw and rushed over with a rag to help her. He wiped off the coffee.

"Are you alright Java?" He asked concerned.

"Yes, though I might have a nasty burn." Fade helped her up. She went to the kitchen and got some burn ointment. She rubbed it over the burn. The day ended and Fade flipped the sign on the door to closed.

“I’ll clean up Java, you go take a rest and tend to that burn.” His horn lit up and a broom began to sweep the shop. A few rags cleaned the tables and counter. Once finished with that he emptied the pots, cleaned them and sat them in place.

“Ready for the next day of business.” He locked the downstairs door and headed into the apartment upstairs. He found Java on the couch in her living room.

“I’m going to stay for the night if you don’t mind.” He said taking a seat on the couch opposite her.

"I don't mind, but might I ask why?" She asked, a bit curious.

"Well, we're closed tomorrow and I figure I could wake up early, do some things around the shop."

"Oh, alright. Well I don't have a spare bed, but mines big enough for two. I don't mind sharing and sleeping alone gets kinda...." She paused looking for the right word.

"Lonely." He replied.

"Yeah, that's one word for it."

They both sighed and sat in silence.

To be continued.

Author's Note

Note, This is my First Fanfiction. I hope you guys enjoy. If there is anything you think I can improve on, please let me know. Also, there will be clop later, so reader discretion is advised.
All art used for this belong to my friend Jessica Jinx Bailey as well as the Character Java Joy. I hope you guys enjoy.
Doing some more work on the first two chapters, expect some changes.