Sometimes It Takes a Double Shot
"I have a quad shot soy latte in a tall for... Buttercup?"
The sharply dressed golden-maned mare approached the counter with an arched eyebrow. "I'm Buttercup, but that's not what I ordered," she said, her tone a mixture of confusion and annoyance. Mixtape sighed and forced a smile. He could tell by the mare's resting bitch face this was not going to end well.
"I'm so sorry about that, but it was what was written on your cup."
"It was supposed to be a grande decaf soy latte," she continued, the annoyance in her voice gaining prominence. "I told that mare at the counter..."
"Celestia dammit, Daybreak," Mixtape muttered under his breath. The customer-is-always-right smile on his muzzle grew larger. "I'll make that for you right now, miss, I'm so sorry. Go ahead and take this one-"
"I don't want that one, I want what I ordered!" Buttercup snapped. "I have to be at the office in five minutes, and this happens every bucking time I come in here!" She raised a hoof and pointed it threateningly at the cream-colored unicorn happily running the register. "She is a menace!"
Mixtape sighed. He couldn't agree more. Buttercup huffed and stomped her hoof.
"I can't wait, I'm going to miss my meeting!" she snapped, whirling on her hooves, snatching the erroneous beverage.
The morning rush continued, Daybreak's chirpy, fluid voice greeting the Starbits patrons, and Mixtape doing his best to keep up with how rapidly she sent the cups down. They made a great team, actually - his sullen post neuro-core alt-rock band persona behind the espresso machine catching the eyes of the college fillies, and Daybreak's perky smile and sultry eyes bringing in the business colts.
"Luna's feathers, what a shift!" Daybreak exclaimed when the line was finally gone. She swiped at her brow with the back of her forehoof and offered Mixtape a charming smile. "We sure killed it, didn't we?"
Mixtape looked up from wiping down the machine and counters, his dark purple eyes serious. Daybreak blinked.
"W-what...?"
"You were doing it again," he said simply, flicking a wing. She chewed her lip as the gray pegasus sighed. "Daybreak... I love you like a sister, but you're gonna get yourself fired."
"They order wrong!" she pouted, her eyes filling with tears. The white tips of her caramel mane were tightly curled, and they bounced when she sniffled.
"You can't just change ponies' orders," he countered. "Mr. Bitshiner warned you. Like, endlessly."
"I don't charge them differently!" Daybreak pleaded, her emerald eyes large and limpid. Mixtape shook his head, the multiple piercings in his left ear clinking together with the motion.
"And that's gonna get us in trouble, too! When they notice the profit versus stock discrepancy-"
"You were way more fun before your Intro to Business class," Daybreak interrupted with a scowl. Mixtape threw his forehooves up in the air. She giggled. "I'm teasing, I'm teasing."
"I'm serious!" he shot back. A lank of jet black mane swept over one of his eyes, obscuring his deep purple gaze. If she hadn't know him so well, Daybreak might have fallen for him.
"I know you are, Mixy, and it's touching. But it's my talent." She wriggled her flank, her coffee bean surrounded by silvery stars sparkling in the fluorescent overheads. "That business mare would have crashed ten minutes into her meeting if she had gotten the drink she originally ordered." She wrinkled her snout, the white dappling on her muzzle making the expression ten times cuter. "So who really won, in the end?"
Mixtape rolled his eyes. "You are a real piece of work, Daybreak."
Daybreak giggled and curtsied, winking. "Let's get this place ready for lunch rush!"
The sky was gray and drizzly. Not unusual for a Seaddle spring morning, and Daybreak shook out her mane as she skipped through the door.
"Mixy, I am so sorry about being late - the train by my flat was delayed and..." She stopped, realizing her companion in crime was looking back at her silently, his expression one of gravity. Daybreak blinked. "Mixy? Are you alright?"
He twitched a wing, indicating the back of the store. Daybreak felt her stomach fall.
Mr. Bitshiner was here.
"Oh buck," Daybreak muttered. She could not have picked a worse day to be late. Even the mere ten minutes her train had been delayed would be unacceptable to the manager pony. "Where are all the customers waiting to order?" she asked quietly, easing her way behind the counter. Mixtape nudged a straw container with his hoof.
"Mr. Bitshiner helped me with the line before you got here."
"Double buck," Daybreak muttered.
"Mixtape, is that Miss Dazzler?"
Daybreak winced at the deep baritone voice emanating from the stock room. Mixtape gave her a look that was part apology, part "Well, I told you."
"Yeah, she's here, Mr. Bitshiner."
Daybreak put on her biggest, brightest smile. "I'm so sorry about the tardiness, sir. I'm normally always right on time, but today-"
"Your attendance record is noted by corporate," Mr. Bitshiner cut her off, emerging from the stock room. He was an imposing stallion, standing a good head and a half taller than Daybreak and Mixtape. He was an Earth pony of fine stock, his coat a glossy, deep maroon, with a thick, wavy silver mane and tail to match. Piercing dark eyes missed nothing, and Daybreak shriveled under their scrutiny.
"O-of course," she replied meekly, taking a step back. "What brings you to our store from the office?"
"This," he answered. Daybreak stared at the piece of paper being thrust at her muzzle, uncrossing her eyes as they had tried to bring the blur into focus.
"A... a customer comment?" she asked finally.
"A customer complaint!" he snapped, his perfect white teeth clicking on the consonants, whipping the card away. "Daybreak! How many times have I warned you about changing the orders of customers?"
Daybreak looked up at him. "Twice?" she offered. Mr. Bitshiner scowled.
"Seventeen."
"That many?" she asked, forcing a giggle. It fell as flat as old whipped cream.
"This is one too many," he continued. "I'm sorry, Daybreak, but you just aren't the kind of pony we want representing the Starbits business model and image."
Daybreak blinked.
"What?"
"You're fired."
The words felt like a hoof to her solar plexus. All the air in her lungs *whoosh-ed* out and her heart thundered in her ears like a thousand racing hooves. Fired? Fired?! This was her dream job! Her destiny! She knew better than anypony what they needed and required to get them through the tough times and low energy levels of their day! Fired?!
"None of that was internal monologue, hun," Mixtape said uneasily, tugging on her tail. Daybreak blinked again, realizing she was standing on the pick up counter, hoof raised, and had the attention of everypony in the store.
"You can't fire me!" Daybreak shouted, whirling on Mr. Bitshiner. He eyed her with a mild level of amusement. "Some day, somepony will fall asleep mid-task. And a catastrophe will happen. Do you hear me? A catastrophe!"
"Excuse me." A stallion wearing earbuds and a nose ring was trying to get Daybreak's attention at the counter. "Hey... Can I order?"
"When very important ponies investigate that catastrophe, they will find an empty Starbits cup next to the pony responsible!" She took a deep breath. "Do you want that blood on your hooves?! Because I don't!"
"I just want a large coffee," the stallion pressed.
"You can't fire me because I quit!" she continued to rail at Mr. Bitshiner.
"Come on, man. It's just a simple pour," the stallion whined.
Daybreak whirled on him, sizing him up, emerald eyes flashing, her horn glowing with a shimmering white aura. "And make sure this pony gets an add shot!"
She leapt off the counter and stormed out the door into the dreary day.
Daybreak stirred her hot chocolate absently, her magic lazily moving the spoon until the whipped cream dissolved into nothingness.
Fired.
She'd been fired.
"You ok, Daybreak?" the server pony asked on his way by. Daybreak looked up and smiled wearily.
"Yeah, Stardate, I'm fine." She wrinkled her muzzle. Stardate gave her a look that conveyed his complete and utter disbelief in her statement, but nodded and continued to the next table. Daybreak heaved a sigh and allowed the spoon to clatter against the side of the mug. Outside, the drizzle had become a downpour, so she had sought solace in the cafe, waiting for the rain to lighten up.
She had bits in the bank, enough to get her through the next month or so, but that had been her calling - in Seaddle's coffee scene, Starbits was it. She had made it when she had landed the position there. Now, she was a jobless scrubmare with a talent that did nopony any good unless she was behind an espresso machine. And Mr. Bitshiner sure as Tartarus wasn't going to give her a glowing reference.
"I'm absolutely drenched!" a mare's voice announced with a dramatic sigh from the table behind her. Daybreak flicked an ear. She heard the shuffling of bags and boxes - some out of towner on vacation, looking to get out of the rain during their shopping spree, she assumed. "Simply dreadful weather," the mare continued, clearly to no one in particular.
"Can I take your order?" she heard Stardate ask. The mare made several sounds of indecision.
"I'm not terribly hungry, but I could go for something nibbly..."
Daybreak fought the urge to cover her ears with her hooves. Sweet Celestia she couldn't stand these types of ponies.
"Why don't I start you with a drink?" Stardate suggested. The mare made a delighted sound.
"Yes! That's a lovely idea!" she purred. "I'll have—"
"Tea, Earl gray. Hot," Daybreak interrupted, not turning around. Stardate lifted an eyebrow. The mare looked over her shoulder.
"Pardon?" she asked, her tone indicating not so much annoyance at the intrusion as curiosity at the certainty of her recommendation.
"Tea. Anything else of a higher caffeine level on an empty stomach right now will make you too jittery and on edge. It will be unpleasant for the rest of your shopping trip," Daybreak continued, nudging her mug of cooling hot cocoa with the tip of her hoof. The amethyst-maned unicorn gave Daybreak an amused look.
"Tea then... what was it? Earl grey, hot?"
"I'll make it so," Stardate replied with a slight bow.
"What is your name, darling?" the unicorn asked, now fully turned in her seat.
"Daybreak Dazzler," Daybreak answered in a sullen monotone.
"I'm Rarity," the mare beamed with a smile. "How did you know?"
"It's my talent," she shrugged, continuing to poke at her mug with her hoof. "I can assess a pony's need for caffeine and craft the perfect drink."
"That's a marvelous ability!" Rarity cooed, batting her eyelashes. Daybreak shrugged again.
"I guess so."
"Do join me?"
Daybreak got up without a word and sat across from Rarity at her table. The unicorn's pristine white coat shone like diamonds in the soft overhead lighting.
"I'm a fashion designer," Rarity offered, resting her forehooves on the table. "I run my own boutique with connections in Manehattan!"
"Mmm," Daybreak said by way of reply.
"I'm here investigating the hoof-dyed textile scene for a new line I'm developing. Such unique DIY crafting styles on the coast!" the fashion pony gushed excitedly. Daybreak lifted an eyebrow. "What do you do, darling?"
"As of an hour ago, I'm unemployed," Daybreak answered. Rarity's face fell.
"Oh my." She looked up and offered a smile as Stardate set her tea down. "May I ask what happened?"
"My talents were not appreciated at the corporate level," Daybreak said after a long while. Rarity blinked. Daybreak waved a hoof. "It doesn't matter."
"One would think your ability would be an asset to any establishment serving the public," Rarity replied, lifting the cup with her cornflower blue aura and sipping delicately. She made a delighted sound. "Oh, this is excellent!"
Daybreak felt herself smile just a little.
"You know," the unicorn said between sips, "I know a pony who knows somepony who knows a pony who I think would just love to make your acquaintance."
"Really?" Daybreak's ears lifted in hope. "Who?"
Rarity smiled a smile that Daybreak would come to know in the future of their friendship as the smile of a plot forming.
"Have you heard of Princess Luna?"
Daybreak tapped one of her rear hooves nervously on the tiles of the palace floor. She clutched the Royal Letter of Invitation in her front hoof, having read it a thousand times.
We, Princess Luna of the Royal Celestial House, cordially and formally invite thee, Daybreak Dazzler, to audition for a position in the Royal Kitchens. Having come most highly recommended by Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, please arrive at the date and time designated below for a demonstration of your skills.
Rarity had indeed known a pony who knew a pony. Not a week after her encounter with the unicorn, the letter had arrived in the mail, and Daybreak had thought it was a joke.
The Lunar guards made Daybreak nervous. She had never seen such ponies, and their fangs were unsettling. Still, the letter had specified to arrived at the palace directly after sunset, and to wait in the foyer outside the throne room. She wanted so badly to ask how much longer it would be, but the stern looks on the batponies' faces silenced any words she might have uttered.
"Moonrise is complete. The Princess awaits you within," the guard to the left of the door said suddenly. Daybreak jumped in her skin, startled.
"That means you can enter, sweetheart," the guard on the right said, not unkindly. He pushed the doors open with his hoof and smiled at her. Daybreak found it surprisingly calming, fangs aside. "Good luck!" he whispered after her.
Daybreak blushed.
"Approaching Her Royal Highness, Princess Luna of the Celestial House, Lunar Lady of the Night, Guardian of Dreams, Matron of the Moon, is Daybreak Dazzler, of Seaddle!" the guard who had wished her luck announced.
Daybreak dropped into the deepest bow of her life before the throne, her muzzle touching the floor. It was cool, and sent chills down her spine.
"You may rise before Us, Dazzler of the Days," Princess Luna said. Her voice was commanding, and Daybreak stood up, looking finally upon the pony that had once been of myth and legend as Nightmare Moon.
"Just... Daybreak, my Princess," she smiled, offering the letter. Luna drew it toward her with her aura, reading it quickly.
"Ah, yes! You are the beverage pony!" she said with a smile. "Mine sister did mention something Twilight Sparkle said about you. Thus this letter I sent!"
"I am grateful for this opportunity," Daybreak replied, bowing again.
"You will make yourself dizzy with all that nonsense." The Moon Sister waved a hoof. "I am most curious about this talent of yours..."
"Well," Daybreak began nervously, shifting her weight from one hoof to the other, "I can, um..." She took a deep breath. Now or never. If Starbits had been her dream job, this was a gift from Celestia.
Don't buck this up, she told herself.
"It's best if I show you, Princess," Daybreak said suddenly, throwing Luna her most winning of smiles. To her surprise, Luna smiled just as widely in return, clapping her hooves in delight.
"Oh, I do love demonstrations! To the kitchens!" she called, leaping from the throne and raising a hoof.
Her heart fluttering against her ribs like a hummingbird, Daybreak followed.
***
"Now," Luna said, stopping before the kitchen doors, "you must tell me. I have been briefed on your ability." Daybreak nodded. Luna's eyes narrowed as she drew herself up, suddenly imposing. "What do you think is needed for my Royal body?"
Daybreak closed her eyes. She had never read an alicorn before, never tried to assess the levels and energies of such a high powered being. Her horn glowed softly, the shimmering white aura casting an enchanting light on her face. She sensed... weariness... difficulty getting started... maintaining throughout the night...
Her emerald eyes opened. Luna was muzzle to muzzle with her. Daybreak squawked.
"Well?" the Princess demanded.
"I would make you a venti quad shot mocha frappacino," Daybreak answered in one breath.
Luna blinked. "What in mine Sister's name is that?"
"It's an amazingly delicious chocolate blended frozen drink with enough coffee to kickstart a small city," Daybreak replied with a grin.
"Coffee?" Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Here, let's go in the kitchen and I'll show you!" Daybreak was excited now. She could do this! She felt it! All she needed were the right...
"Mine Sister only stocks Canterlot Castle with tea," Luna added as they entered the kitchen.
...ingredients.
"No espresso machine?" Daybreak asked.
"What is 'expresso?' " Luna replied.
"No coffee drip? Not even a french press?!" she begged.
"We have this device with which one may make the water hot," Luna offered, pointing to the stove.
"Great. You have a teapot," Daybreak sighed. She rubbed her temples with her hooves.
"I must see some sort of feat pertaining to this miraculous ability, Daybreak, or I cannot condone the addition to the Canterlot staff," Luna said with a sad frown. Daybreak nodded. "As much as I like Twilight..."
"If I can make you something that perks you up from whatever I find in this kitchen," Daybreak began, "will you consider me?"
Luna tilted her head to the side for a moment, mulling the thought. Daybreak bit her lip. This was it. This was the moment. This was what decided her worth to Equestria.
Time slowed as Luna's head bobbed up and down. Daybreak's heart exploded with joy.
"Wait right here."
The cream colored unicorn vanished in a blur, curly mane and tail bouncing after her. Cabinets banged open and shut. Drawers were slammed. Cutlery was shuffled and clinked about as Daybreak ransacked the entire kitchen for everything, anything she could use in an impromptu caffeinated concoction. Luna watched with amusement as the pony returned with an aura-full of assorted items, panting and glowing with exertion.
"Ok... I have six bags of Darjeeling, ONE small sack of pre-ground coffee beans... expiration date questionable...one tin of mint hot cocoa mix, and two marshmallows."
"What shall you make with that?" Luna asked with genuine curiosity. Daybreak frowned in thought.
"Watch me," she grinned.
The kitchen came alive. Shimmery white enshrouded the teapot, taking it to the faucet and filling it with water. At the same time, the bags of tea were torn open and set in an empty mug. Daybreak hummed to herself, guiding the teapot to the stove to begin heating the water. As the water worked on boiling, Daybreak ripped a length of cheesecloth with her teeth from the folded bits on the counter, placing them over yet another mug, into which she'd spooned several scoops of mint cocoa mix. On top of this, she poured a mound of coffee grounds.
The teapot whistled its readiness. Daybreak whistled back, giggling, lifting it from the stove and pouring the water into the mug with the Darjeeling. Steam rose as it hit the six bags of leaves. Luna watched in silence, absolutely entranced.
"Now we wait just a little," Daybreak said softly, moving the mug of tea next to the mug with the cheese cloth and coffee grounds. She continued to hum, tapping her hoof. "Alllllllllllll-most...... done!"
With a grin, she got down muzzle to mug level with her work surface, white aura surrounding the tea mug, and ever so carefully poured the tea over the coffee grounds, ensuring the bags remained in the mug and no grounds slipped through the cloth. When every last drop of the hyper caffeinated water was transferred, Daybreak discarded the cloth and grounds, gave the cocoa coffee tea mix a good stir, and plopped the two marshmallows on top.
"Princess Luna.... I present to you Daybreak Dazzler's very first Canterlot Kitchen Special: Everything But the Kitchen Sink!"
Luna looked at the mug with an arched eyebrow. She leaned forward and sniffed it. "It smells wondrous," she said. Leaning down further still, she took a tiny sip. "My, and tastes amazing!"
"Try it!" Daybreak urged.
The mug lifted, surrounded by the Lunar Princess' aura, and Luna took a slow, careful sip of the drink.
Her left wing snapped open. One pupil suddenly flared larger than the other. Her right ear twitched uncontrollably. Daybreak watched in abject and utter horror as what she was certain her one shot at a job in Canterlot was going down the proverbial privy.
Until Luna regained her composure, ruffled her feathers, smiled, and took another sip.
