An Embarrassing Issue

The three ponies arrived at the market, Sun and Soul still trailing behind Sugar who was a little too eager to do something illegal. They all stop short when they came to the shops. Sugar turns around to the other two and smiles. “Okay! So, here is the plan of attack!” He pulls a map of a nearby music shop out of his missing eye and directs attention to the many arrows pointing around the large shape at the center. “You, Sunny, will go around the back and try to sneak in to the storage room where all of the best albums. What you need to do is,” adding air quotes to his next word, “borrow… a couple albums.”

Sun interjected. “I’m assuming you need more music for your shop.”

Sugar switched gears and retorted. “That’s besides the point, my dear. That is just a bonus for the work we are doing.”

“We,” Soul spoke sternly. “Are doing something illegal, Sugar. Ill-ee-gull.” Soul got up in front of Sugar. “If anything, we try this and then return the items. If you want them, pay for them. Understand? Even if this is to help Sunny find her special thing, we aren’t crooks.”

Sugar, his smile unwavering, thought hard about what she said. His face twisted and adjusted into different emotions, showing how many ideas he went through before… “DING!” A metaphorical light bulb appeared above his head. “If she gets caught, we make a run for it!” He flashed a grin of self-congratulations.

Soul and Sun looked at each other and shrugged. “Alright, I guess it’s time to give it a go.” Mumbling, Sun appended to her own confirmation. “I got no better ideas anyway.”

Sugar jump in excitement. “That’s the spirit!” He picked up Sun with his magic and threw her towards the store. “Now go out there and make papa proud!” Soul looked at Sugar awkwardly.

“Her actual papa won’t like this.”

“So, we just don’t say anything, simple. Right, Soul?” Sugar whistled and swayed in his spot waiting on Sun to return.

* * * *

Sun flew with celerity to the back of the music shop, keeping low to the ground and diving around other ponies. Landing at the door, she took a deep breath. Slowly exhaling, Sun thought of calming thoughts to steady herself. She couldn’t fathom what she was doing for her own cutiemark. This was ridiculous, she thought in front of the door. “Let’s get this over with.” She breathed out.

Biting the knob, Sun pulled down and pulled back slowly. The door squealed on it’s hinges as she pulled it open. Sun winced at the sound, hoping that the store owner wouldn’t hear.

Opening the door just half way, she slid in and carefully closed it with a back hoof, leaving it ajar. Sun crept through the back room, looking for something worth “borrowing” for Sugar Rush. As she snuck around, she viewed every vinyl disc there was, searching for something on the top of the hits. She didn’t notice the grey stallion with a mane of sienna and saddle brown, coming into the back room where she hid herself. They were both on opposite sides of the room with enough discs and boxes to block each other’s view of the other. But Sun heard a hoofstep and knew she was in trouble.

Treading carefully, she picked up a few albums from in front of her, happy that the racks blocked a direct view of her. And if it wasn’t for her small stature, she probably could’ve been louder. But she knew now was not the right time to wipe the sweat off of from her brow just yet, the steps got closer, and closer. She knew she’d be caught at this point. The door is just across the way but that unicorn was facing the same direction. She needed a distraction, and fast.

Without thinking, she took a box and let it hit the ground, hoping it would catch his attention and draw him away from sight. But she realised she would have to do some outstanding maneuvers to keep out of his line of sight when he does turn the corner.

The unicorn looked towards the sound and calmly but cautiously trotted to the source. Waiting for the right moment, Sun prepared herself to make a break for the door. She listened to the steps as they came around to her side and darted for the door. Her own hoofsteps were loud and the stallion came around swiftly to the door where he saw Sun just about to get out the door. She dropped the records and jumped out.

“Get back here and take your punishment!” The stallion yelled to Sun as she ran away just before he gave chase to her.

Setting Sun’s short legs hindered her speed. The unicorn was getting closer and closer to her, shouting. “Get back here, you orange-yellow pegasus!”

Sugar Rush and Melodic Soul saw her coming and started running themselves. Sun soon realized she could fly faster than run and took off the ground, catching up to her partners-in-crime. Once she was in earshot, Sun spoke first. “Sugar Rush, this was the worst idea ever. What made you think I would get a cutiemark in thievery?”

Sugar, who was running and laughing, corrected Sun. “It wasn’t supposed to be thievery but sneakery!” They headed a bit farther into town before stopping to catch their breath. Soul rolled over and tried to keep herself from hyperventilating. Sugar was doing just fine and Sun was just a tad out of breath. “So, did it work?”

Sun and Soul looked at Sugar before Soul asked, “What’s next on the list? And nothing illegal, understand?” Just as he was pulling the list out. After looking at it for just a few seconds, Sugar put it back and replied with a flat tone. “Nope. I got nothing.”

Sun rolled over next to Soul and groaned. “This fuckin’ blows.” She huffed out. “There’s gotta be something that isn’t illegal. Or will get me in trouble.”

Sugar went over to the two mares and laid on top of them. “How about food? I’m starving!”