A Whole New World

I leave home and head back to work. Heh, still sounds weird when I think about Derpys house as home. I shake my head of thoughts when I walk through the main entrance of the Ponyville post and get stopped by the receptionist.

“Excuse me sir!” The mare says giving me a wave.

“What can I do for you?” I reply turning around.

“Mr Parcel Box gave me a package for you, he said it's for future employment.” The mare lifts up a box from under her desk and places it on the counter.

I go to take the box but realise I don't know the mares name. “Thank you..miss?” I say holding out my hand.

“Oh!” The mare states putting her hoof in my hand to shake. “I'm Clover.”

I shake Clovers hoof. “Nice to meet you Clover, my names Michael.”

“Nice to meet you too Michael.”

We both shake and I let go gesturing behind me. “Well I have to go, busy afternoon.”

Clover waves. “Good luck!”

I give the mare a wave back and proceeded through the double doors into the back of the building. I walk passed several ponies filling letter satchels and bags. I give them waves and they return them much to my pleasure. I walk into the back loading area to find a young pegasus mare counting the packages in the carriages I'm supposed to work. The mare doesn't notice me approach so I cough to get her attention.

“Huh?” The mare turns around and smiles broadly. “Hello!” The mare says suddenly flying up to me. “You must be the human my father said is starting here today?” The mares broad smile never leaves her face.

I walk back a step. “Y-Yeah, my names Michael.”

“Great! My names Stamp, my father is Parcel Box.”

I hold out my hand. “Nice to meet you Stamp.”

The mare grabs my hand in both of her fore hooves after putting a clip board under her wing. “Nice to meet you too Michael!”

Stamp lets me go and I gesture to the carriages. “Is everything OK?”

“What?” Stamp states looking back at the carriages. “Oh! You mean what I was doing?” I nod. “I was just counting the parcels inside of them just to make sure nothing was removed. It's all there for you and everything checks out.”

“Good, I don't want anything to go wrong on my first day.”

Stamp laughs. “You'll be fine!”

“I hope so, I'm glad Derpy gave me a map of all the businesses. I'm not familiar with everything in town yet.” I say.

“My father told me you and Miss Derpy are together, I'm happy for you two. Miss Derpy deserves to have a stallion in her life.” Stamp looks behind me. “Oh, I have to go! It was nice meeting you Michael!” Stamp shouts as she flies pass me and out the loading bay.

“Wow, she was something.” I say.

I shake my head and turn towards the carriages. “Well let's see what I have and get started.”

I spend a few minutes looking over the carriages and decide number two carriage held parcels easier for me to deliver. I turn the harness level and attach it around my waist. I give the harness a little tug to make sure it won't break and then I pull the carriage towards the exit at the back of the building.

I take a deep breath and put the cap from my gear on my head. “OK, let's see who's first.” I take a bag from the back and find it was for the Quill and Sofas store in town. “Right! First stop!” I grunt a little as the carriage had a little resistance on the road outside but I get it rolling nicely.

I make it into town in quick time and check Derpy's map for the shop I'm heading to. I get to the store after ten minutes and park up outside. I give a couple of mares a wave as they walk out the store and the two mares giggle returning my wave. I head inside with the parcel bag and find a stallion tending to a couple of sofas.

“Excuse me? Are you the owner?” I ask the stallion getting his attention.

The stallion gives me a smile. “That would be me! Feather Quill at your service.”

I shake his hoof he offers and show him the bag. “Parcel delivery for you.”

Feather Quill takes the bag and lets out a breath of relief. “Thank you, I've been waiting for these parcels.” The stallion turns and walks to the back before returning with a parcel of his own. “This is a fragile urgent delivery to Canterlot.”

I take the parcel carefully and nod. “I'll make sure it stays safe.” I hold up a clipboard from the carriage with the names of the stores on it. “Could I get a signature for delivery?”

“Oh of course.” Feather Quill gets a quill from his desk and signs next to his stores name.

“Thank you, have a good day sir.” I say tipping hat.

“You too!” Feather Quill gives me a wave as I leave.

I return to my carriage and check the next bag. “That went well.” I state as I store Feather Quills parcel in the carriage. “I hope all my parcels are that easy.” I smile as I reattach to the carriage and head to my next stop.

Derpy flies towards Ponyville Post and sighs as it comes into sight. She lands and cracks her wings.

“That felt good...” Derpy states before walking in. “I wonder how Michael got on?”

“Hi Derpy, how are you?” Stamp asks trotting out of the sorting room.

“Hi Stamp! How's things?”

Stamp beams a smile. “Great! Your Colt friend has made Dad very happy!”

“He has?” Derpy asks tilting her head.

“Yeah! In four hours he delivered all of the three carriages of parcels and has been helping out in the sorting room getting the carriages ready for tomorrow.”

Derpy looked shocked. “Wow. That's surprised even me, I would have thought his first day would have been hard.”

“Me too, but he's really taken to the job. Dad's ready to promote him already!”

Derpy chuckles. “I know Parcel is a great boss to us but promote someone on their first day? I just don't see it.”

“I know but when Dad told me he might I didn't realise it was possible.” Stamp looks to a nearby clock. “Sorry Derpy but I have an errand to run. I'll see you later OK?”

Derpy smiles. “Of course Stamp! See you!” Derpy watches Stamp leave and heads for the sorting room. Derpy opens the door and comes upon Michael talking with Parcel Box.

“So you see Parcel if you make drop points around town for the parcels people want to post it will cut the time needed for pick up.” Michael states pointing at a map of Ponyville.

“You might have a point Michael. I'll talk to the mayor and see if we can draw up something.” Parcel replies rubbing his chin. “Though I think we have company.” Parcel turns to Derpy.

Derpy blushes. “I'm not interrupting anything am I?”

Parcel shakes his head. “No, we were just finishing up Derpy.” Parcel turns back to Michael. “You done well today Michael. Keep it up my boy and you'll go far.” Parcel nods his head before turning and leaving by the main door.

Derpy watches Parcel leave before turning back to her stallion. “You took to the job well I hear?”

Michael leans on a nearby table and smiles. “I just can't explain it Derpy, I seem to have a natural understanding of this kind of thing.” Michael stands and crosses to Derpy and gives her a kiss. “But enough about me. How was your day?”

Derpy sighs. “Tough. The back log of letters is far worse than what I feared.”

Michael looks to the still full carts of letters waiting to be sorted. “Yeah, it can only get better though right?”

Derpy nods slowly. “I guess but I just want to get home and relax.”

Michael grins. “How about a wing rub...or was you wanting more than that?”

Derpy chuckles. “Wing rub sounds good. I'm too tired for anything else.”

“OK, let's go home.” Michael says.

I walk along side Derpy as she tries to keep up. I glance down and see her eyes drooping a little. I smile when a thought pops into my head. I walk in front of Derpy getting her to stop and I kneel down with my back facing her.

“Michael?” Derpy asks giving me a confused look.

“You're tired Derpy now hup!” I say gesturing to my back.

“I'm not riding on your back.”

“You let me ride yours so it's only fair you ride mine once in awhile.” I reply smirking.

Derpy hits my head with a wing. “Don't say that in public! Somepony might hear you!”

I chuckle. “Just get up and stop complaining.”

Derpy sighs. “Fine, this is going to be embarrassing...”

Derpy climbs onto my back and I grab her butt with my hands and lock my fingers. Derpy puts her fore legs over my shoulders as she rests her head on the back of my neck.

“Comfy?” I ask.

“Mm hmm.” Derpy replies.

I look towards home and start to walk. It doesn't take long to reach home and I see Dinky waiting outside as I approach.

“Dinky? You was waiting?”

Dinky nods. “Uh huh, I always wait when mommy comes home.” I notice her look behind me. “Is mummy OK?”

I nod. “She was feeling tired so I carried her home.”

Dinky grins. “I knew you loved mummy!”

I free a hand and rub Dinkys mane. “I love you too and Sparkler. You're my family now.”

“Really?” Dinky asks as we walk to the front door and push it open.

“Of course Dinky, for now and always.” I reply entering the house.