Tending a Blossom

“That'll be 15 bits, Miss Vera. Do you want a paper or plastic bag?”

“Plastic is fine, Amber. It will last longer that way.” Across the register, the orange-maned mare nodded and bagged up the gathered fruits and vegetables. Opposite her, her customer opened her coin purse and laid out the needed bits for her goods. Grocery shopping was more habit than chore now, her siblings rarely changing their wants and making it easy to predict their requests. If anything, having a change to the routine would be curious, and almost welcomed.

“How have your sisters been? Busy with keeping us all pretty, I'm sure?” Amber asked.

“It is a never-ending labor, but one we take to well,” Vera said, smiling as she took her bags. “Have a nice day, Amber!”

Walking out of the market stall, Vera Blossom kept her bags hanging from one arm, the other holding a grocery list in front of her.

“Let's see. Aloe mentioned wishing to try a new candle fragrance for the spa,” she told herself as she noted the hasty scribble at the bottom of the sheet of paper. “That mare is always trying something new out every week. Last week was the bubble bath scrub that made her mane too oily.” Recalling her complaints, a small grin crossed Vera's muzzle. She carried on, making her way towards her next destination. Her relaxed attitude matched with the day's bright sky and light breeze that blew by her.

Vera Blossom was the eldest of the three known Spa Sisters who ran Ponyville's town spa. Her sisters, Lotus and Aloe, often left her to handle the responsibilities of day to day living while they handled the business front of working to keep Ponyville's population beautiful and relaxed. Such standards had been in place for some time, and Vera was used to being the one to go. She had more free time on the weekend than they did, and made use of it to their benefit. Though, admittedly it'd be nice to actually use her weekend more for herself than doing more background work. Her plants needed more tending after a bad storm two days ago, and it'd be sad to see them perish.

'They certainly do not need to go the route my dating life has...'

Her train of thought came to a sudden stop when she found herself colliding with another body. Unprepared for it, she fell back onto her rump with a light wince, her bags falling beside her as she stayed upright. Looking up, she saw a similarly sprawled out pegasus stallion in front of her, his coat colored a light grey and his mane an unfamiliar shade of dark blue.

“I'm so sorry!” she exclaimed, her accent coming to the forefront as she lifted herself up, dusting her hands off on her jeans before going over to help him up. “I had my head in the clouds, and didn't see where I was going!”

The pegasus came to his senses after a moment, looking up to Vera with a smile. “It's no trouble, miss. I should've been paying more attention than cloud-watching.” he replied. He took her hand and she helped him to stand before releasing him. “Oh! Your groceries!” He said. Stepping aside, he moved past her and began gathering what had fallen out of her bag. Vera made sure the green tank-top she was wearing wasn't torn before following his example.

“I'm sorry I ran into you. I guess I was distracted.” The stallion said after handing her back one full bag. Vera took it and held it in one arm, the other already holding the rest.

“It is no trouble. These kinds of things happen all the time.” She said. “What were you distracted by?”

The young man rubbed the back of his head and laughed. “I guess a lot of things. I was visiting my friend Featherweight and he showed me these cool photos he got of the storm from a few days ago. He's a photo enthusiast, and he got a lot of cool shots. I must've not paid attention where I was walking.”

The mare nodded in understanding. Not many ponies in town were passionate for photography, but there's one for every avenue of life. “I see. I am afraid I was a bit lost in the clouds myself. Though my clouds were more down to earth than in the sky.”

The stallion chuckled. “No problem. Did you want a hand with carrying those home? Do you have a long way to go, miss…?”

Vera smiled in appreciation at the offer. “Vera Blossom. I can handle getting these home, don't worry. Though I will be mindful of any pegasi who might daydream like you do.” She teased.

Rumble laughed before speaking. “I deserve that, I guess. My name's Rumble, by the way. Just Rumble.”

Vera nodded. “You remind me of somepony I have met before...it is in the eyes. Does the name Thunderlane ring a bell?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Rumble replied, making her giggle again. “He's my older brother; he works for the weather team. He helped make today be such a good day.” They shared a look up at the open sky above as Rumble continued. “Though if you ask me, he did it so he'd have an excuse to have a lazy day.”

“If only all of us were so fortunate to dictate those days.” Vera's remark drew his eyes back to her, but she bore no negativity in her expression. Hefting her bags, she gave him a nod. “I must be going. Again, I apologize for bumping into you like that. Enjoy your day, mister Rumble!” She moved past him, aiming once more to locate the candle-maker’s stall before he closed up. Behind her, Rumble could only watch her go before shrugging to himself and turning the other way. He paused when his foot bumped into something, and he looked down to notice it was one of the vegetables that had fallen from Vera's bag. He looked back to where she'd departed, but the mingling crowds of the afternoon had already hidden her. Hefting the now bruised carrot, the pegasus nodded to himself and departed with a new destination in mind for the day.

***********

It was a quiet home that Vera arrived to later that afternoon, something she expected at the tail end of a Sunday. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, a mark for many that the day was coming to an end. Hefting each grocery bag in an arm gave the mare a little difficulty in opening the front door. She always did tell her sisters that dexterity helps in more things than just giving a good massage.

Stepping through the front door, Vera closed the entrance with her foot before walking to the kitchen. The trio of siblings shared a spacious residence, having a room dedicated to each of them along with a joined living room and kitchen. It had been a fortunate grab for the three when they'd first come to Ponyville, with the ample space coming at a low rent they couldn't pass up. The three had made it their own home, with rose-colored wallpaper accented with white flower designs to mimic what they used for the spa. Vera's steps were light on the wood floor, padding into the kitchen where she began to unload the groceries.

“Vera? Are you home, sister?” The mauve-maned mare turned to see Lotus peeking her head through the doorway.

“Indeed I am.” She affirmed, smiling at her sibling before she resumed putting away the various foods she'd purchased. “How was the spa today? Not too troublesome, I hope?” Her accent was more pronounced in their native language, yet it felt entirely natural despite her practiced ease with the common tongue where they lived now.

Her youngest sister shook her head, pink bangs waving about her head as she walked to the refrigerator. “It was nothing we could not handle. Since it is later in Summer, many have already had their treatments for their summer parties and gatherings.” Opening the door, she hefted out a small juice pouch, a newfound guilty pleasure of the mare considering she went through the juice packs as if her only means of survival. Her blue fingers curled around the box as she spoke. “We did have miss Rarity as always for her weekly touch ups.”

“Ah, Rarity, hmm?” Vera chimed. “And I trust it was, how does she put it?”

Lotus puffed out her small chest and rested a delicate hand upon it. “Simply marvelous, darling!”

Vera giggled at her sister's impression, closing the cabinet door and sighing. “I wonder if she only knows that one adjective, despite being such a classy mare?” Looking past Lotus, she raised an eyebrow at the lack of their third sibling. “Where is Aloe?”

“She is taking a nap upstairs right now. She told me she has another date tonight.” Lotus said, taking a seat at the small dining table across the kitchen.

“Different stallion?”

“It will be her third this week, I believe. You know she had me cover her Tuesday for one of them?”

Vera clicked her tongue in disapproval. “Did she promise to make it up to you?”

“Of course. That would be number four now on the list of owed favors.” The pink-maned mare leaned back in her chair and huffed. “I could certainly use a nice date right now. Aloe goes through them like a mare splitting hairs on her mane.”

Vera offered no comment, choosing to busy herself instead with the rest of the groceries. That seemed to be the usual dynamic for the three, to her at least; Aloe would always be occupied or busy with some sort of social plans, whether on a date with a suitor or being with some of her friends. Lotus would have her chances at a social life as well, though she always seemed to envy Aloe's natural ease with attracting a stallion's company.

This left Vera to her own self when her sisters were away, a circumstance she usually tolerated well enough. Her hand paused as she placed an apple on the small plate by the breadbox; it was not a pleasant thought, being reminded of her lack of dates, but who else would do the work she does? She pushed down the sliver of irritation that sprung from the reminder and kept on.

If Lotus took note of her sister's mental grief, she bore no notice. Both were interrupted as a knock came to the door, Lotus getting up to go to the front. Vera shrugged and finished unpacking, trying to take a quick mental tally of everything she'd brought home.

“Vera!”

“Yes?” She called back as her eyes wandered over the counter.

“You have a visitor!”

Now that was different. Vera made sure she'd heard right before following after her sister's path. At the front door, she came to a stop as she observed the light grey pegasus standing in the doorway. Taking in his lean build and bluish-dark mane, Vera stepped forward.

“Mister Rumble? What are you doing here?” she asked as Lotus stepped aside and walked off, leaving the two be for the moment.

The pegasus smiled and held up a small bag for her to take. Reaching inside it, she found a small stack of carrots within. “I found these on the ground when you left back at the market. You must've forgot them.” He answered.

“Oh my. I had no idea!” Vera said with relief. “Aloe always prefers to have carrots mixed in with her salads; she's something of a health nut.” She added.

“Hey, I'm not gonna dispute being healthy. You should see my brother's routine for things like that.” He chuckled. “The house still smells of radishes after his kick of that.”

Vera giggled lightly at the thought, shaking her head. “Ponies will do anything to stay healthy, no?”

Rumble only offered a smile before quiet fell upon the two. In those few elongated seconds, one could hear the distant chatter of two ponies down the street, birds chirping as they flew over the house, or even the small roll of wood cart wheels on the dirt road. The pegasus shuffled his feet, looking aside from her to the doorway's frame. To Vera, it looked like Rumble had something to say, but he seemed unsure of what to say now that he was here. 'His brother probably wanted him to try and get our numbers. Or at least Aloe's.' She told herself before clearing her throat to be rid of the awkward air.

“Well, thank you for bringing this by, Rumble. I sincerely appreciate it.” She said before turning to walk away, letting the door close behind her.

“W-wait!” Rumble's exclamation made Vera look over her shoulder and back to the stallion standing there. “I wanted to ask you something.” He said, keeping the door open but staying behind the border.

The mare turned back to face him, crossing her arms over her chest. “Yes?” She kept her facial features schooled to hide her growing apprehension.

“Um...ok.” Rumble took a breath and sighed before looking up to her azures staring at him. “I don't have a job right now, miss Vera.”
The question threw Vera off the track she'd been expecting to go down with him; instead of phone numbers, he only wanted to inquire about a job?

“A struggle for sure, mister Rumble. But if you're looking to employ yourself at our spa, I am not certain we have free space right now.” She replied.

“No, no.” He waved a hand dismissively before continuing. “I know I'm no good for that. My hands are too rough for it. And I'm a guy, so that'd be a little weird for me.” He explained. Her raised eyebrow urged him to continue. “B-but I can be a spare hand, is what I'm getting at. Like helping you run errands for your spa, for instance. Or helping with some of the harder stuff.”

His offer piqued the older mare's interest. “So you wish to be a handyman then?” She concluded. At his nod, she brought a delicate hand to her chin in thought. It would help out to have somepony assist with maintenance and her own errands. “This is rather out of the blue, mister Rumble. I have only met you today, and yet here you are seeking work from me.”

Rumble nodded before speaking. “I know. I'm between jobs right now, miss Vera. Not that I've been fired or let go. Just...more that I have a lot of free time on my hands and I didn't think it would hurt to ask. I work odd jobs around town, and thought to see if your spa had an opening.” he explained before running a hand through his mane and sighing. “...I probably did this wrong. I should've tried asking while you were at the spa. Be more professional, huh?” He added before shrugging. “I'll just go.”

He turned to leave, but didn't hear the door swing shut behind him. “A moment, mister Rumble.” He turned back to her, pausing at her closer proximity. Up close, his first assumption had been spot on about her appearance. Her cream-colored coat did well to go with her mane and bright eyes, helping to show how she had zero blemishes on her face.

“It is always good to have part-time help in our line of work. Doing so much to give ponies relief and to feel beautiful is more taxing than one may expect.” She remarked before nodding at him. “Suppose I were to hire you as help. Are you looking for specific hours? Or perhaps an amount of pay?”

Rumble shook his head. “Well, miss Vera, that'd be up to you really. I was just always taught that offering a helping hand is better than standing on the sidelines. Brother hammered that in good to me, he did.” He explained, smiling sheepishly as she grinned at him. “I don't need that much in the way of pay, and I can even give you my number for you to contact me if you need a hand with something. I don't know a lot about the spa business, but I know plenty about helping somepony out.”

Vera's mind weighed out the consideration. On one hand, it was an unexpected offer; what's stopping her really from telling him no, so she could mind her own money and keep things as they were? But all the same, having somepony to help her out would do her well in the long run. And it's not like he was a shady character; the youth's eyes were attentive and focused on her, and he bore no manners that suggested otherwise. If anything, his attentiveness was endearing. She could tell that he truly wanted to help.

“...alright then.” Her reply made him look up in surprise from the ground. “On two conditions only, however.”

“Of course. What are they?”

“One, you perform to the best of your ability when it's asked of you. No giving me excuses of being tired or needing a break, unless you're genuinely ill, for instance.” Vera said. “We may seem calm and laid back, mister Rumble, but rest assured it is not all easygoing to keep a spa in business. I may call upon you more than once in a day, even.”

“That's fine by me. I can handle a good workload.” He agreed. “And the second?”

“Call me Vera. I'm not that old to be called a Miss yet.” she teased, making him laugh.

“Alright then. But only if you call me Rumble. I'm not old enough to be a mister yet either.”

Vera nodded, smiling as she held out her hand. He took it and shook gently before releasing it. “Oh, right. Number.” He reminded himself, patting his pockets for something to write with, only to blink as she held out a small notepad and a pencil. He looked up her slender arm to the amused expression on the mare's face. It was a smile he found that suited her, since it was a smile that went to her eyes.

“Always be prepared.” She remarked before letting him have it. Once he'd hastily scribbled down his number, she took it and pocketed the note before he stepped back. “I will have some work tomorrow for you. Be ready for my call around 1 o' clock.”

“Sure thing. And thank you, Vera! You won't regret it!” He said before heading off, leaving the mare to watch him go before she shut the door quietly and turned to walk back to the kitchen. Or she would have, if not for Lotus standing with a mischievous look on her muzzle.

“What?”

“I didn't realize you liked them young, sister. Who was he?” She teased. “Some hidden boy-toy you kept out of sight from us?”

Vera snorted and shook her head. “New hired help to give us a hand around the spa. I can't do all the work, you know.” She remarked, smirking to herself as Lotus pouted at her deflection before following her back to the kitchen. As Vera set about fixing dinner, she found herself dwelling on the thought of Rumble's smile, unaware of the small grin that came to her face in thinking of it. He certainly did have a niceness to him that some lacked. Maybe he'd be a stroke of good luck for her? She went back to chopping the fresh carrots he'd brought her, putting the thoughts aside to refocus on dinner.