Summer's Dream

Mystique ran on autopilot after Pinkie had left. She got a few regulars in for the rest of the day, greeting them warmly and fixing their usuals. She was just preoccupied by what Pinkie had said before she left. *Maybe I should offer her a position here,* she thought, *Yet, I giggled. I don’t giggle. I haven’t giggled since I was a filly.* She was in the process of closing up now that Celestia had lowered the sun. There was an hour or so before she closed, many of the ponies in town didn’t come out to the cafe after Luna raised the moon. It really was too late by then to sit and have a coffee and expect to go home and sleep. And, she did open early for those that started their days early. Even though tomorrow was Saturday, she still got up early.

*Darn you Pinkie! Why did you have to be cryptic, then hit me with her name?* she thought exasperated. “Really, I don’t need this!” Mystique grumbled.

“Don’t need what, darling?” Rarity asked as she walked in. The white mare was immaculate as always, although she still had her signature red half moon glasses on.

*Oh, great, now I’m talking out loud to myself! What is wrong with me?* Turning to Rarity, Mystique dredged up a professional smile. “Oh, nothing, Miss Rarity. Just thinking about something that happened earlier today,” she said has professionally polite as she could manage. Then she noticed Rarity’s glasses. “Are you okay, ma’am? I don’t mean to pry, but you still have your glasses on. And, well, you don’t normally wear them out.”

“Oh, my!” Rarity chuckled. Glancing down, her eyes crossing rather comically, at her glasses. “Oh, bother,” she huffed, “Yes, dear, I’m fine. Just got so wrapped up in a new design for the Canterlot Boutique, and then I was reminded that I hadn’t picked up my tea from you yet. And, well, I simply rushed over and never bothered to take them off.”

Mystique smiled, “Ah, of course. Your monthly order, I almost forgot myself. Just a moment, I’ll go get it.”

“Really, dear, I’m in no hurry. I rushed over so as not to put you out with one of your customers not getting their order on time,” Rarity said as she trotted over to the counter. Noting no other ponies were there, she relaxed and fixed her gaze on Mystique. “But, now I must ask. Are you alright? You sounded rather, hmmm, out of sorts before I came in.”

Mystique stopped before opening the swinging door to the back. *Should I?* she thought. *Rarity is one of my regulars. And she has asked my advice on little things for Fluttershy.* Making up her mind, she turned back to Rarity. “Honestly. No, I’m not alright.” Sitting down, keeping the counter between them, she cocked her head. “I may have made a slight fool of myself earlier today. And, well, Pinkie Pie didn’t help, being rather cryptic when she stopped over.”

Rarity nodded, sitting down as well. “Yes, Pinkie does tend to do that. But, what, pray tell, happened? You don’t have to go into detail, if you don’t wish. Yet, sometimes just saying what you're thinking about out loud to another pony helps get your thoughts together and provide an answer. And of course, if you’d like, I can give you advice, if I have any.”

With a soft sigh, Mystique closed her eyes. Then, taking a breath, opened her eyes and spoke. “Pinkie stopped in, made a remark about something, what exactly doesn't really matter. But, shortly after she went into the back to check my stock of pastries, a… Pony came by, her first time in Ponyville. We chatted a little, I made her a drink,” a slight pause accompanied by a smile she didn’t know she had. “She said she’d come by in the morning, and I said I’d whip something up for her if it was chilly I was sure she’d enjoy. She left, I didn’t get her name. And all the remarks I made, well, I think I made a fool of myself.”

“Really, darling? Is that all? I don’t think you made a fool of yourself. You didn’t suddenly shout you wanted to bed her, did you?” Rarity asked with a wink, causing Mystique to blush.

“N.. No, nothing like that!” she exclaimed. “I don’t think I would be standing here if I had. I’d probably be halfway to Baltimare if I did.” Mystique took another deep breath, trying to calm herself. “I just kept babbling. Then there’s the drink I made for her. I added more chocolate than usual, and I have no idea why. And then I thought about whipped cream,” Mystique snapped her jaw shut. Her slight blush now three shades darker. *No, no, no! I didn’t just…* her thoughts cut off as Rarity chuckled.

“Whipped cream, hmm?” she asked with a wink. “I can think of a few things to do with whipped cream. Makes a lovely garnish on hot chocolate, or pies.” With a  sly look, Rarity continued, her voice taking a husky tone, “Or a special somepony.”

*That’s it, I’m dead! I have to be, that is the only way I can survive this embarrassment,* Mystique thought. She could feel her cheeks getting even warmer. “Yeah, hot chocolate and pie go great with whipped cream,” she rushed out, “Let me go get your tea. Be right back!” She stood up, intent on rushing through the door.

“I’m sorry dear, I was only teasing. Let me hazard a guess, though. This mare that got your attention, she’s cream colored, with a mane that’s so dark brown it’s almost black? Green eyes?” Rarity asked sympathetically.

Mystique stopped, the door held open. She turned her head back, her eyes wide, staring at Rarity. “Her eyes are green? How did I not notice that?”

“Hmmm? Oh, simple darling, you were too busy looking everywhere else,” Rarity teased. “But, I’m being cruel. I’ve got you worked up even more than when I came in,” she said, as she placed a hoof on the counter. “Mystique, dear, let me reassure you. I do not think you made a fool of yourself,” cutting Mystique off with a wave, “Let me finish, please. I saw the mare in question on my way back to the boutique from the castle. She was still drinking that special concoction you made. And I do hope you remember exactly how to reproduce it, judging by the look of bliss she had. She didn’t look like somepony had made a fool of themselves in front of her. So I do believe you are being too harsh on yourself,” Rarity finished with a firm nod.

“Really?” Mystique asked. At Rarity’s nod, she continued, “Ok, if you say so. But, that’s not the only thing on my mind.” Rarity raised an eyebrow in inquiry. “Pinkie hinted that Summer might not have a job, then flat out said I should offer her one. But, should I? I mean, she is cute, sweet Celestia is she cute. And I’d like to get to know her better. But, what if working for me turns her off from wanting to get to know me?” Mystique whined slightly.

Rarity held Mystique’s gaze. “I see,” she paused, “Offer her the job. And this is why. Pinkie suggested it.” At Mystique’s confused look Rarity continued, “Pinkie knows many things, things even Twilight can’t explain. Yet, we accept what she says. And if she suggests something, there’s a good reason. And it normally turns out right for the parties involved.”

“Well, okay, if you’re sure,” Mystique replied.

“Very, very sure, my dear,” Rarity said, her head held high. “Sleep on it tonight, trust me, you’ll see that it’s a wonderful idea.”

Mystique nodded. “I will, and thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to listen.”

“Nonsense, Mystique, I’m glad to lend an ear,” Rarity replied, a happy lilt to her voice.

Mystique nodded again, not sure what else to say to that. “Let me get your tea, I’ve taken up so much of your time.” She turned back to the door, her horn lighting up. A medium box pushed the door open as it floated to the counter. Mystique released her magical grip once the case was safely on the counter.

Rarity glanced at the case with a smile. “Thank you, Mystique. You don’t know how much I appreciate you ordering me this every month.” She placed a bit bag on the counter, then levitated the case up. Turning to the door she started to leave. Stopping just in front, Rarity turned, looking Mystique in the eyes. “Remeber dear, don't stress, and just sleep on the idea of the young mare working for you.”

Mystique nodded, using her magic to open the door for Rarity. “I will, I promise,” she replied, “If you think Pinkie knows something that for the best for either of us, I’ll talk to Summer in the morning about working for me.”

“Good, good. Yet, don’t mention to her about Pinkie suggesting it, or why. She just moved here, and one encounter with Miss Pie might make her… Hesitant, shall we say, to any suggestions she might make. At least until she’s been here long enough to get to know Pinkie better.” Rarity smiled, nodding her head again, before turning to leave. “Have a pleasant evening, Mystique. Fluttershy and I may stop by soon. I’m sure she’d enjoy a relaxing cup of tea after a spa trip.”

“Good night, Miss Rarity, and I look forward to you both stopping by. And I won’t mention Pinkie to her.” Mystique watched her leave, closed the door, locking it with her magic. With a sigh, she glanced around the cafe. *Clean enough,* she thought. Turning to a section of wall between the employee entrance and the cafe dining room, she laid her hoof on a seam in the paneling. Pressing inward slightly, a section of wall depressed before popping back outwards. Taking her hoof off, the slipped it between the gap and swung the section toward herself revealing a staircase to the second floor. She used to have a regular door there, yet one too many curious foals, and a couple of adults who didn’t know better, had gone up to her private living area. She put the false panel in, and no longer had to hunt down a customer who went in, making her life much easier.

With another quiet sigh, she ascended the stars. She was exhausted, and she just knew she was going to be asleep quickly. *Better for me, then I’ll hopefully will get enough rest to deal with the morning crowd. And Summer,* she thought as she stepped into her modest bedroom. Nothing really made the room stand out. A medium sized bed sat against the wall directly opposite the door. A small blonde nightstand sat on either side, each holding a plain white pole lamp with a plain white shade. A light cream area rug sat in the middle, almost blending in with the unstained pine flooring.

Mystique walked across the floor, not bothering turning any lights on, Luna’s moon light filtering in the window providing enough illumination. She lifted the bed clothes up by hoof. She was tired, and knowing she would soon be in bed and fast asleep, she was rapidly losing focus. Almost as if a sleep spell had been cast on her. Mystique chuckled at that thought as she slid in bed, pulling the sheet and light eggshell blanket up to her shoulder. She rolled over to her side, away from the window, facing the wall that made up the outer wall above the dining room. With another sigh, she closed her eyes. A little wiggle finding just the right spot and she was quickly falling asleep. As her breathing slowed, she drifted off to sleep. Soon the only sound was her breathing in the still room.