Open Your Eyes

by Feather Scroll

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, Slice of Life, Romance, Princess Luna, Original Character, Random
Length: 3647

As the new pony in Ponyville, Steam Joy sets herself in nicely into a new home, what she doesn't know is that now she has to get used to being a morning pony rather than being a pony of the night.

Just as Steam Joy moves into a new town, barely knowing anypony, and works for Rarity as long as it takes to open her own store, she finds herself slowly becoming a morning pony rather than a night pony. Baxter helps her getting the night shift, convincing Rarity in the process...

Published 2016-05-23 23:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-05-26 14:52:08 UTC

To Ponyville

I rushed as I got everything onto my cart. I had to meet the house seller of the house I was planning on buying. I had planned for tonight, hoping he hasn't already left by this point. I felt my blood go cold when the thoughts of him not being there like he promised. I packed my last box and made sure all of my stuff were secured on the cart. I went around front and made sure that end was secured tightly around my waist before I headed for Ponyville.

Making my way to find the paths that lead to the town and I trotted, almost running. I wasn't sure if I woke up early enough to start packing or not, or how much time I have wasted, but I know I needed the house before the deadline - and that was a the next day after morning. Then she had to go house searching again! Making sure I wasn't making a huge racket, thought I knew I was, I didn't start running until maybe ten to fifteen minutes of walking in the Everfree Forest.

Okay, yes I know, bad place to make a home and that Zecora is the only living pony that lives there, but I never did mind the trouble with the Timber Wolves. I found it good exercise running way from them, and I found it enjoyable on my end. But that was the same place I found out that I enjoyed fashion, and that it was my talent to make steampunk clothing.

Anyway, I made it out of the forest and past Fluttershy's cottage. I didn't slow until I was close enough to town, trotting slowly and panting lightly. I never was athletic like Applejack or Rainbow Dash, and I certainly wasn't good with animals either like Fluttershy but I did own an owl before it past away of old age.

I made it to the house, and to my suspicion, nopony was here. Sighing, lowering my ears and gaze, knowing that I probably missed Baxter or Market, I heard the clopping sound of hooves against stone. I looked up to see a black figure running towards me, but before I could reaction, he calls out: "I'm so sorry I'm late!"

My expression light up when I saw that the pony, recognizing the voice of Market. He sounded like he was exhausted and hurried, as if he, too, forgotten. Smiling at the ponies forgetfulness, I forgave him, informing him that I just arrived a few moments prior.

"Thank Celestia," Market murmured. "I wasn't sure wether or not you would be waiting for almost two hours."

"I woke up early," I put a hoof on the stallions shoulder. "I had a lot of boxes for this last load, remember?"

He didn't responded but nod, moved my hoof away and went to open the door. He helped me get the boxes of my stuff inside, giving him the money for the house, plus a tip for helping me with getting the boxes inside, and thanked him.

"Seems like you've got a hoof-full of unpacking," Market noted. "You got any help for all this, or are you going to do it all yourself...erm?"

"Steam Joy," I told him, "and yes, I'll be pretty much be doing it myself. And you can back the cart, I won't be needing it."

"Right," he said, quickly. "Well, good luck with ya."

With that, he left, leaving the keys on the living room table we set up during the first night. I sighed and locked the door behind him. I went and started with my room. I went and dragged one of the boxes to me room, but it ripping the side of it. I lowered my ears, knowing that it probably wasn't going to last.

I got done with my room, but the only thing I needed was help getting my hammock up in the upper right corner of my room, so I made a makeshift bed beside the folded hammock and went for my sowing room. I would say, I probably gotten halfway done when dusk had arrived and I soon found myself yawning. I trotted to the other room, gladly it was a two roomed home.

Well, tomorrow night well mean, hopefully, finishing my sowing room and the living room, I thought, planning how everything'll look after I finished. I might meet other ponies in the morning once I finished unpacking, though I'm sure Pinkie Pie probably already knows there's a new pony in Ponyville.

***

The next time went like a breeze. I managed to finish my sowing room within two hours and worked on the living room for the next five hours. The next thing I had to do before dusk, which I was sure I wasn't going to finish, was the kitchen.

Baxter did visit during the day, apologizing for waking me, asking if there was anything I needed help with. I only replied saying that there was one thing I did, was putting up my hammock on my kitchen, which I probably won't get to till the next night. Also, Pinkie threw a party that day, which I fell asleep during the time I was there. I was glad when Twilight cut the party short.

Shaking the tiredness from that morning, I began placing my books on the bookshelf I just re-built a few moments prior, thinking about how I'll make a living - if there was a fashion store nearby, which I planned to visit Rarity first thing after I finished with the house.

A knock at the door woke me. It didn't sound like Baxter's, which odded me since I wasn't expecting him till tonight. I got off the couch - which I had to move if Baxter was going to help with the hammock - but went to open the door to see who it was.

"Rarity?" I asked, slightly confused.

"Hello, dearie," Rarity greeted. "I didn't get a chance to meet you yesterday and thought I stop by!" She smile looked forced, alsmost realizing how tired I looked. "Oh, dear, did I wake you? I'm so sorry, maybe I should -"

"No, no," I interrupted her. "It's all fine, come in?" I gave her a weakly smile, allowing her to come in.

"Oh no," Rarity denied politely. "It looks like your still unpacking. I shouldn't..."

"It's fine," I told her. "It's just kitchen stuff. I was planning on finishing it all tonight anyway."

"Tonight?" Rarity asked. "Dear, why tonight?"

At first, I was thoughtless, motionless, my mind running on how to well-known fashionist was in front me. "I'm...A night pony - a bat pony, to be correct."

Rarity just laughed. "You don't look anymore than a regular Earth pony!" The more she laughed, the more I felt like I was being torn apart. Lowering my ears, I heard another voice from behind.

"Rarity, stop laughing, can't you see that you're making her feel uncomfortable?" Twilight asked as she walked up beside Rarity, who stopped laughing to see how uncomfortable I looked.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Rarity apologized, though she was probably hoping I would feel less awkward. "I didn't mean to make you feel so uncomfortable."

"Why don't you go back to the Carousel Boutique?" Twilight asked. "As far as I know, there'll be a home welcoming tomorrow night -" she turned her attention to me "-correct?"

I nodded as Rarity and Twilight walked off into the direction of the Boutique. Rarity didn't look so happy, muttering under her breath. I went back inside, almost instantly falling asleep as my head hit the pillow.

***

Two nights later, was the party. It would have been during the day, but nopony complained - yet. Pinkie Pie seemed to like the idea and moved it from my house to Sugarcube Corner to the fields. It seemed like Pinkie Pie invited the whole town to this one small party, which was supposed to be Baxter, Lilly Lake, Cherry Blossom, Cinder, and I, but I guess Pinkie overheard one of them talking about it the other and threw a whole part for this one event. For Celestia's sake, it was supposed to just the five of us!

"You don't seem like you are having fun," Twilight said as she trotted over.

"It was supposed to be a small party of five, but then into this," I said. "I barely know anyone here, other than you, Pinkie, Rarity, AJ, Dash, and Fluttershy and four of my other friends."

"Oh, don't worry," I heard Pinkie say as she bounced over, sounding gleeful. "There's always time to meet new ponies!"

Great, I thought, lowering my ears as Pinkie started to sing. Just what everypony likes in Pinkie, and she over does it with two parties in a week - though, I doubt that its uncommon to see so many parties, even with Pinkie around.

Working with Rarity

After a few weeks after I moved into Ponyville, I had to work somewhere and the only place that interested me was the Carousel Boutique, but I doubt that Rarity would hire me. I wasn't what anypony would think as a frilly pony like Rarity. In fact, I didn't like frilly dresses or ball gowns, but more for Steampunk. I managed to get everything ready for the morning, so I ended up making a few outfits to show her how good I was at sewing as she was. Baxter gotten me a few manikins, which two out of four of them had an outfit.

Baxter gave me a wagon outside, which I had already had some of my older works already packed on it. I just hope that Rarity takes me on, I thought. I would like to earn my own bits rather than work with Baxter in the Real Estate program. He was the first Earth Pony I meet before moving in Ponyville, but sadly he's in Canterlot.

Looking around, Hoping I didn't forget anything as I trotted to the cart. As I the papers in my mouth, got outside, got the cart attached and I trotted towards Rarity's. It was dusk, closer to the morning, so I doubted that Rarity would have been awake by the time I would arrive. I couldn't help the sighing and lowering my gaze and ears.

"Oh hey," Pinkie Pie's cheerful voice as she bounced over. "Whatcha doing?"

"Oh, hey Pinkie Pie," I greeted her back. "I was just heading to Rarity's."

I totally forgot that Pinkie was in front of me, talking, though I have heard was her talking about Sugercube Corner and Rarity. "Well, good luck!"

"Why you giving her luck for, Pinkie, dearie?" Rarity asked, looking cheerful.

"Oh, Steam Joy was just on her way to see you Rarity," Pinkie pie replied. "I think for a job or something?"

Feeling like I was just stabbed and my shyness started to kick in as Rarity looked at me. "Oh, I didn't know you were into fashion!" Rarity said. "I would like to see what you have! Are those it there?"

I gave her a nod, though she was already going through them. Rarity didn't seem to be impressed, saying that Steampunk wasn't in fashion anymore and that it won't sell.

"Ohh, that looks so cool," Lyra said as she and Bon Bon passed by, pausing. "Where can I get one?"

Rarity looked at me, her eyes shown. "Can you make more?" She asked.

I nodded. "I was hoping..."

"You're hired!" Rarity shushed me. "I'll expect you tomorrow morning with more of these...Outfits!"

I felt like I was going to be used just to make her money. Raising an eyebrow, she promised that I get paid if my style of choice would sell. She took what I had, even the cart with all my fabric in it, though I already knew what she's going to do with them.

"Oh, have you talked to Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy yet?" Pinkie pie asked, but before I could answer she took me by the hoof and dragged me to go find the two ponies.

***

"And what did you say your name was again?" The blue mare asked, tilting her head.

"Steam Joy," I said meekly, lowering myself to the ground.

"Right," Dash said. "I can tell that your'll get along with Fluttershy no problem."

Just as she finished, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Applejack arrived. Fluttershy seemed to be more shy than I was, only getting a soft 'helleo' out, and Applejack greeted me as well as Twilight.

"Where's Rarity?" Dash asked a few moments later. "Shouldn't she be here?"

"Pinkie and I already saw her," I said before Pinkie. "I was on my way to see her, and she ended up taking the outfits I already made with her, including all my fabric."

"I'm here," Rarity called, wearing on of my outfits. I went wide eyed to see what she had included. "What do you think of my new outfit?"

"That's the outfit I made," I said shocked. "You only sewed on the gems and a skirt that doesn't even match with the style!"

"Rarity," Twilight said annoyed. "How could you do this?"

"Well, it wouldn't sell other wise," Rarity told her.

"Its Steampunk," I said, cracking up with sadness. "It's not your everyday ball dresses!"

"Yeah, Rarity," Dash retorted. "Wait, what's Steampunk?"

I was already feeling broken inside, feeling betrayed by Rarity, then Pinkie replied to Dash what Steampunk was. She shocked the the whole group with what Steampunk was.

"You never fail to surprise us, Pinkie," Twilight said.

"How did you know about this, anyway?" Dash asked. "Have you been working with Rarity secretly?"

Pinkie giggled. "Just a hunch!"

***

After the past two weeks working with Rarity, I slowly started to become more tired each day. On the first day, she told me to take off the wings I had and take off the wig I had, and I wasn't wearing fake wings or wore a wig! I never had time to go see the stars anymore, taking naps during the nights so that I could stay up and watch the stars and moon. I began to get headaches during the day and Twilight and Applejack were worried on how tired I was becoming, working day and night. Even Baxter, who was told by Lilly Lake, Cherry Blossom and Cider were also worried.

The sound of the bell ringing made the first response from Rarity with her opening greeting. I didn't bother to see who it was, but the voice did make me want to see. I knew it was Baxter. It was heard to hear, since I was upstairs, but I knew that Baxter was trying to get me the night shift, though...There wasn't a night shift.

"Then let her work at home," the muffled voice of Baxter said. "She'll work much more if she had the choice of working during the night. She's a Bat Pony, not somepony you can use just to earn you more bits!"

Baxter...You're such a stubborn pony, I thought as I heard Rarity showing him out. I do hope you don't do anything stupid.

Baxter the Hero?

Nearly three weeks at the Boutique, Baxter stood there in the front, waiting for me. He was holding a single rose in his mouth, no thorns on the stem whatsoever, asking me if I wanted to go get some coffee at this coffee shop he found near by. Cherry Blossom, Cinder, and Lilly Lake we already waiting for us.

I agreed and walked beside him. He said that he is trying to get me the night shift for sometime now and Rarity has been putting up a fight saying that she won't have me put on night shift. I couldn't blame him. He always had plans up his own sleeves that nopony could come up with.

"I could help, you know," Baxter stated as we neared the shop. "I know how hard it is to work with Rarity."

I nodded. "Honestly, I don't mind -"

"I do!" Baxter interrupted. "Your a pony of the night! You work best during the night rather than the day!"

"What are you two talking about?" Cherry had asked as we were close enough, taking our seats next to them. "I hope it isn't what I think it is."

As Baxter explained, Rarity and Twilight were walking past. As off just mentioning her name, Rarity slowed looking in our direction as if summoned. Cherry blossom what the problem was, and why couldn't Rarity just put me on night shift.

"I tried," Baxter said. "Rarity is a stubborn mare! I feel like she's using Steamy for profit and bits since there isn't any known Steampunk seamstress' other than Steamy."

"Calm down, Baxter!" Cherry held a hoof to Baxter's shoulder. Baxter moved her hoof away and glared at her.

"How can I?" Baxter demanded. "Steamy is a night pony and Rarity is slowly turning her into a normal, day pony! How many Bat Ponies do you see walking during the day, Cherry?"

By this point, I had fallen asleep. Baxter had gotten me a hazelnut brew, but the complaining didn't end. Baxter going off how I should be able to work at home, get paid as promised, how much different I was, and what she has told me to me face. "It's like she's using Steamy for free labor just to get her more attention and bits! She alters Steamy's dressed and outfits to make them 'her own design' when she hasn't made them at all! Talk about the Element of Generosity, more like the Element of Greedy."

Cinder woke me, her face full of worry. Cherry paid more attention to Baxter as Lilly was going back and forth between me and the arguing ponies. Yawning, I excused myself, noting that Rarity didn't like it when anypony is late, thanking Baxter for the drink and flew to the sidewalk and began my trip back.

***

As the day grew more longer than the last, I had made six more outfits only for them to be altered by Rarity. My creativity was altering to a lower level, and Rarity had arrived with Twilight soon after as I had just finished my seventh outfit.

"Rarity!" Twilight's call rang. "What do you think you're doing to her?"

"I'm not doing anything!" Rarity reassured her. "Steam Joy!"

When I heard my name, I went to see what was up. I wasn't sure what they were saying, I was too tired to even pay any attention. This was my last memory as far as that day. I had no idea what happened, but I woke up, I was in my own house. I was confused on how I got here or what had happened. I looked around the house and nothing looked to be out of the ordinary - though, I found a sleeping Baxter on my couch. I went to grab a blanket for him, but then I realized...Is this real or a dream?

"Steam Joy..." A soft mare's voice called out behind me. "Wake up..."

I took a look behind me, Cherry Blossom was standing right behind be but she looked...different. A lot different. She...almost resembled Luna. I wanted to speak to her, but I didn't seem to find my words and she ended up disappearing after a few moments. I woke up. this time, hopefully, for real. Cherry Blossom and Cinder were under me, yawning, to which I assumed was night.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked, feeling a little sick. "And, what happened?"

"We wanted to see how you were doing," Cherry replied tiredly.

"And as far as we know," Cinder started, pausing to yawn, "Baxter waited for you, only to be asked to leave by Rarity as she tried to take you home with Twilight. Baxter convinced them to let him take you home."

"Where is Baxter?" I asked, almost demandingly.

"Passed out on your couch," Cinder replied. "Don't worry, though, he's be fine."

"He also got you to work during the night as well," Cherry added. "You don't have to worry about going in during the morning!"

Seeing them both smile, it made me feel warm inside. They didn't stay long after, though, as I saw them out. I turned my attention to the sleeping Baxter. He seemed so peaceful.

***

So, roughly about a two weeks later, my creativity slowly came back and I felt more rested. I made more dresses that I ever made in one day alone. Baxter had gotten me more manikins to work with. I don't know what Baxter had done, though, since Rarity began to respect what I do and began selling my clothing.

Baxter had visited with Cherry and Lilly, helping me delivered the boxes of outfits that I had finished. Baxter, Cherry, Lilly, Cider and I tend to hang out once a week. Cinder gotten a new job and would be moving to Canterlot or Manehattan. Lilly found a job with animals, not sure where. Cinder promised to stay in Ponyville while the rest lived in Canterlot and Manehattan.

I felt really sad hearing that most of my friends will be moving, but knowing that they'll visit, even if it meant staying up all night. Baxter said he had a surprise for me, but the surprise wasn't ready for me. Cinder said that she wanted to be there as well to see what my reaction was. Cherry and Lilly told Cinder that they wanted a letter explaining how it all went, making me very much more curious about what this could be.

"I don't want to spoil what this surprise could be," Baxter stated.

"Right," Cherry agreed. She looked at me, smiling, and reached out for my hoof. "I hope that everything will go just as fine!"