Chapter one: On his way!
The Canterlot Medical Academy, or CMA as it's more commonly referred to, is quite the institution.
It is the premier and coincidentally, the only university that teaches the medical sciences in Equestria.
Just as with the other prestigious schools situated in the capitol, entrance to the school was not straightforward. There were always more applicants than places for them.
The CMA was a large school. It had many different buildings, each one dedicated to a different discipline. The largest building housed classes in basic pony biology, the smaller buildings held classes for optic, dental, pediatric and other specialities including one for pony psychology.
While not in high demand, there was still a need for therapists in Equestria. Believe it or not, even the usually happy ponies of Equestria got depressed from time to time or had relationship issues that required professional help.
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Soft Touch was a young earth pony stallion living in the small town of Appleloosa. He sported a dark blue coat with a messy looking, slate grey mane and tail. His cutie mark was a notepad and pencil.
Soft Touch always had a talent for understanding other ponies feelings. He was always polite and helpful and so naturally, when he got his cutie mark, he was sure his talent was to help ponies with there emotional problems.
While he was happy with his cutie mark, his family was not so thrilled.
His family built carts. All kinds of different carts. Apple carts, utility carts and even small, mobile homes that were... Built on carts (these were very popular among traveling sales ponies and magicians).
His mother built carts, his brother built carts and his father delivered the carts to all the towns in Equestria.
His family of course, expected that Soft Touch would also find his talent in some way associated with carts. When he got his cutie mark, you can imagine their disappointment.
From then on, he was sort of an outcast in his family. Yes, they still loved him and spoke with him but you could tell he was now an outsider. The talk around the supper table was almost always related in some way to carts and he was never interested or included in the conversation.
Later, in high school, Soft Touch was an average student. Nowhere near exceptional enough to be noticed by his teachers. That, unfortunately also had the side affect of ensuring he would not be recommended for placement in any higher education.
Soft touch did not have a talent for bucking apples or any desire to build or pull a cart for a living. He was certain he was destined for other things. Appleloosa was a small town, there was not a lot of opportunity there for a pony with higher aspirations.
When Soft Touch graduated high school, he gathered what small possessions he had and left Appleloosa.
His family barely noticed when he said his goodbyes.
I'm all alone now, he thought, and it's time I start getting used to it.
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Soft Touch had been in Canterlot for a week now. He came here seeking the education he needed to pursue his career.
The CMA could only accept a certain number of students each semester. The students wanting to attend this school always exceeded the number of spaces available. Therefore, prospective students were evaluated in a series of comprehensive exams, each one harder than the previous. Between these exams, students were given one weeks time to prepare for the next series.
Of course, some students had preferential placement because they had recommendations by their high school teachers and, it was rumored, some sons and daughters of influential families had their scores altered to ensure there seats in the school.
Because of the popularity of this school and others in Canterlot, a number of prep schools were formed to instruct students in their chosen field of study between exams. Preparing them for the next battery of tests. These schools were not free however. Only those ponies with the bits could attend these prep schools and gain an advantage.
Soft Touch had spent all the bits he had managed to save over the years just getting to the capitol and renting a small room. He did not have any to spare for prep school let alone food.
I have to get a job, he thought.
After trying a few different places without success, his tummy started growling... In his focused attempt to find work, he had forgotten to eat!
Way to go Soft Touch, he said to himself with more than a little sarcasm, how can you expect to do well in your exams if you can't even take care of yourself.
Now throughly disgusted with himself, his head held low, he stopped into a nearby cafe and took a seat.
"Welcome to the Saddle Brand Cafe!" said a voice next to him. Soft Touch, obsessing over the stress of today, was startled back to reality by the voice.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," said the same soft yet confident female voice.
Soft Touch looked up to see a pretty peach colored unicorn mare with an orange mane and tail, highlighted with yellow accents, looking down at him with brilliant green apologetic eyes that reminded him of an alpine meadow in springtime. Her normally wavy mane was tied up in a bun and she was wearing a stained apron. On her flank was an image of a barrel cactus with three small orange flowers growing out of it. She held a menu in her magic aura.
"Here's what we have to offer," she said. Placing the menu before him. "I'm sorry I can't stick around but I'm really busy so look it over and I'll be back to take your order in a minute, ok?"
"Oh, sure... thanks," Soft Touch replied as he watched the waitress trot back through a swinging half door he assumed led to the kitchen.
He dug through his saddlebags looking to see how many bits he had left. He was sure there were not many.
Reading through the menu, he was looking to see what the measly remaining bits he had would buy him. He settled on a simple salad and some tea. This isn't really enough to satisfy me but it's all I can afford, he thought.
As he waited for the waitress to return, he noticed there were a few other ponies also eating here as well. This place is fairly busy, he thought. The cafe itself was clean and quite inviting with a warm, country style he had not seen since he left Appleloosa.
When the waitress returned, he told her what he wanted. She gave him a questioning glance and asked, "Is that all? A stallion your size will starve without more food than that."
While of average size for an earth pony, he admittedly was slightly stockier than most unicorns who made up the majority of the population of Canterlot.
Embarrassed and starting to turn a shade of red deep enough to be seen through even his dark coat, he looked at the ground and replied, "I've come a long way to attend school here and I'm afraid I can't afford more."
Now a little embarrassed herself, the waitress said: "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be nosy. Let me go get your order." And with that, she quickly returned to the kitchen.
She returned a short time later and set down in front of him not only the salad he requested but also a fat hayburger with two slices of cheese, all the fixings and a side of fries.
"Miss," Soft Touch said, "You brought me more than I ordered. I can't possibly afford it."
Not wanting to meet his gaze, she replied, her cheeks flushing and scratching at the floor with her hoof, "Don't worry about it sweetie, the owner won't mind. And you look like you could use it." And with that she quickly turned away and trotted back to the kitchen.
After finishing his now substantial and tasty meal, Soft Touch got up and went to where he saw the waitress disappear to after she brought out his food.
Passing through the swinging half door that separated the dining area from the kitchen, Soft Touch was startled to find the waitress was the only pony back there.
Hearing him enter, she looked up from the food she was preparing. "Was everything ok?" she asked as she set down the knife she was chopping vegetables with and wiped her hooves on her apron.
"No, I-I mean yes," he stammered, "everything was absolutely delicious, the best meal I've had in a really long time. I just wanted to pay my bill and thank the owner for her kindness. I'm guessing that's you since you seem to be the only pony back here," Soft Touch said as he glanced about the small but efficient kitchen.
"Yep," she replied with an amused smile. "I'm Cactus Flower and this my cafe." She turned to face Soft Touch as she said. "I'm short staffed at the moment. My waiter quit yesterday and I haven't found a replacement yet so I'm having to prepare the orders and wait on the tables all by myself."
"O-oh," Soft Touch stammered. He was mesmerized by her smile. She was, in his opinion, the prettiest mare he had ever seen.
"Hehe," Cactus Flower giggled. "Say, not to be presumptuous but you mentioned you were low on bits. Would you happen to be looking for work? I can't pay you a lot but I need a new waiter quite desperately and besides the pay, I can offer you three meals per day." Cactus Flower looked him up and down as if she were appraising him somehow, "within reason of course," she said with a smile.
Soft touch could not believe his good luck! Here he was, down to his last few bits and out of the blue, he happens to find a job and free food!
Besides... That smile... He would work here for free if it meant seeing Cactus Flower smile like that every day.
Without hesitation Soft Touch replied, "Yes, I am looking for work." My name is Soft Touch."
"Great!" Cactus Flower exclaimed. "You can start right now." And she handed over her pad and pencil. "Have a look at the menu and familiarize yourself with what we have to offer. Besides taking and delivering orders, you'll also be responsible for cleaning up after the customers and setting the tables." She then rummaged around the counter and came up with another apron and handed it to Soft Touch. "And put this on," she added. Soft Touch hesitated, looking at the offered apron. "Don't worry, it's clean." Cactus Flower giggled, adding; "but I don't think it's going to stay that way for long."
Taking the pad, pencil and apron from her he said: "Thank you for the opportunity Cactus Flower, I'll do my best."
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Chapter two: Stallions... Face hoof.
And do his best he did.
Soft Touch was a natural. He had memorized the menu, was great with the customers and kept the place spotless. Cactus Flower had never had an employee this good before. She was truly impressed with him.
A week later Soft Touch had his first exam. He thought he did well but until the results were posted, he was going to be as nervous as a colt at the Fall Formal.
After work the next day, Soft Touch galloped over to the campus to check the exam results. He was happy to find his name on the list of applicants who passed but that feeling soon changed to worry as it dawned on him that he was at the bottom of the page and the results were organized by score from highest at the top to lowest at the bottom.
There's no way I'm going to make it past the next round, he thought. Not without some help.
The next day at work, Cactus Flower asked how he did on his exam. Soft Touch's neutral expression turned to sadness as he told her. "I passed," he said.
"Then why the frown Softie?" Cactus Flower asked, using the nick name she had given him. "We should celebrate!"
Calling him by that name usually brought a smile to Soft Touch's face but not this time. "I finished at the bottom of the results. I had close to the lowest score necessary to progress to the next level," he said as he looked at the floor, unable to meet her gaze. "I don't think I'll pass the next exam without help. I've got to try to get into prep school but I don't have the bits."
Cactus Flower took his chin in her hoof and raised his face so they were looking eye to eye. "Look Softie," Again she used the nick name, hoping to raise his spirits. "After we close this evening, let's you and I take a walk and see what we can come up with, ok?"
Blushing from her touch and kind words, not to mention calling him "Softie", Soft Touch could only nod his agreement.
After closing up the cafe, Soft Touch and Cactus Flower took a walk in one of the many beautiful parks scattered throughout the capitol. They discussed how many bits he needed for prep school and how much he was saving from his pay and how much he paid in rent.
"I've got an idea," Cactus Flower said. "You know I live above the cafe, and I wouldn't offer this to anypony else but I trust you," she continued. "I've got an unused room I could let you have."
Shocked by her generosity, he said: "C-Cactus Flower, t-thats really kind of you but I couldn't possibly put you out like that."
"Please," Cactus Flower said, waiving away his objection with her hoof, "I'm a grown mare and I know what I'm doing. By not having to pay rent, you'll have enough to get into prep school. Now first thing tomorrow, gather up your stuff and show up at the cafe an hour before opening so we can get you settled in."
It was done. Just like that Cactus Flower had again, came through for him when he needed it the most. He was full of emotions he could not express with words and he did the only thing he could think of. He moved in close to Cactus Flower, wrapped his forelegs around her neck and hugged her tightly.
After a moment locked in his embrace, Cactus Flower using a hoof, slowly pushed him back a little bit and looked up at him, her cheeks flushed red and her eyes locked on his. She then surprised him for the second time that night as she leaned forward, tilted her head slightly and kissed him softly on the lips. The moment seemed to last forever. Soft Touch could not believe what was happening! He had no idea Cactus Flower felt that way about him. Not that he minded. He'd had a crush on the peach colored unicorn since the first time he saw her.
When they finally parted, Soft Touch started to say something but Cactus Flower, now looking a little embarrassed, put a hoof to his mouth. "Don't say anything, Let's just enjoy this beautiful evening," she said as she she snuggled in close to him. Soft Touch didn't know if it was the cool night breeze or the feeling of Cactus Flower's body moving against his as they walked, but he had goose bumps all over.
Life certainly was changing for this small town earth pony.
The next morning Soft Touch moved into Cactus Flower's spare room. He tried to speak with her about what happened last night but again she stopped him saying that there would be plenty of time for that later.
Ok, He thought, I can wait. When she's ready, she'll tell me.
Soft touch went to the prep school that day and signed up for the night class.
For the rest of the week, Soft Touch split his time between work and school. He was determined to pass the next two tests and secure his entry into the CMA. Cactus Flower still would not talk about the kiss nor did she show any further affection towards him.
Soft Touch was confused but instead of focusing on his relationship with the beautiful cafe owner, he concentrated on studying for the next exam.
That day came soon enough and Soft Touch was as prepared and confident as he could be.
After the exam was over though, he was not so sure about his chances. I had no idea that exam would be so hard. He thought.
I study hard at the prep school and my cutie mark said that this is my special talent. How could I be doing so badly?
The exam scores were posted the next morning. As you might expect, Soft Touch was first in line to see the results. He scanned through the list four times but each time, his hopes got lower and lower. His name was not on the list. He knew his dream had died. He failed to pass the exam.
Heading back to the cafe to start his work, he could not have felt any more depressed.
As soon as he entered the cafe, Cactus Flower could tell he failed the exam.
She went up to him. "I'm so sorry Soft. I know you really wanted this."
"Maybe I just wasn't meant to be a therapist," he said. "What am I going to do now?"
"I'm sure you've noticed that I've been a little distant this last week," Cactus Flower said. "But it's not because my feelings for you have changed."
With confusion on his face, Soft Touch looked up at her and said, "I don't understand. Then why have you been avoiding talking to me about that kiss in the park?"
Cactus Flower spoke softly. "I needed you to concentrate on your studies. I wanted you to do well. I knew that what I did was wrong, that the timing was bad but I just couldn't help myself. You looked so vulnerable and sweet that night a-and," she continued, choking back a lump that was forming in her throat, this time not able to meet his gaze, "And I couldn't keep my feelings bottled up any longer. I've liked you since you first walked into my cafe."
"You did?" Soft Touch said. Hardly able to believe what she was telling him.
"Yeah silly," Cactus Flower said, finally able to once again look at him. "What, you couldn't tell? Geez," she said, giving him a quizzical look. "Stallions are so dense sometimes. Look, come sit," she said as she led him over to a empty table and pulled out a chair for him with her hoof. The cafe was empty as it was still early so they had the place to themselves.
"I wasn't going to say anything until after the exams were over. I didn't want to distract you from following your dream," she continued. "Softie, I want you to look at your cutie mark."
Soft Touch looked at the pencil and pad cutie mark decorating his flank. "What about it?" he asked.
"Tell me what you see there," Cactus Flower asked him.
"I see a note pad and pencil, the tools a therapist uses when they see a client," he replied. "Why?"
Cactus Flower was looking him in the eye now. "Is that all you see, nothing else?" she said. "Because from where I'm sitting, I see the same pencil and pad that's used to take orders. Like in a restaurant or a... Cafe"
Soft Touch's eyes grew large as the realization hit him. "You mean I've been wrong? I've been chasing the wrong dream all this time?" Cactus Flower was quiet as Soft Touch's brain processed this information.
A moment later she spoke. "No, not wrong Softie, you just haven't been open to other possibilities. See, a pony can interpret their cutie mark in a whole bunch of different ways. You were focused on just the one way. Haven't you heard the expression about putting all your eggs in one basket?"
Soft Touch took a step back mentally and thought about it from a different perspective. What Cactus Flower was saying made a lot of sense.
Everything he had been through had led him here. To this cafe, this job and this mare. He realized then, that this was his destiny all along. He had just been too focused on what he thought was his true purpose to recognize what had been staring him right in the face.
Soft Touch got up from his seat, went over to Cactus Flower and with tears in his eyes, embraced her, his very special somepony; and in that moment he knew right where he would spend the rest of his life. Right where his cutie mark had led him from the very beginning.
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