Season of Longing

Chapters

Sweet Gold
Swift Service
Crisp Apple
Tour of the Town
Vanilla Frappe
Mint Chocolate
Star Dust
Fresco
Oregano Season

Sweet Gold

Plumes of smoke billowed from the happy little smokestack attached to a happy little train as it chugged through miles of scenery. It had become rather dull to look at. One pony on this busy little train sure thought so. As other passengers dine on sweets or chat with their seatmates, a slightly chubby pink Earth pony stared out at the passing scenery. Tear stains were still on her cheeks from about three miles or so back. She looked tired, worn and just generally unhappy. It was a stark contrast to the other passengers on the train. The pink mare sighed pushing back a runaway pink curl from her otherwise salon kept mane. She was going to have to find a place to stay and set right to work on taming her mane as soon as possible. The mare clutched one light blue saddle pack to her chest stretching the small stitched image of her cutie mark, a blue dahlia with a single leaf. Her pale blue eyes transfixed on the outside world as if to hide the fact she had been crying a while before. With a sniffle, she rubbed her eyes a bit trying to clear the red from them.

“Are you alright, Sugar?” the pink mare jumped in her seat turning her head sharply to see a slightly older apple green Earth pony mare. She had stopped at the pink mare’s little booth. The pink mare could only guess they were a good few seasons apart by looks alone. Trying to save face, the mare swept her hoof over her mane and put on a rather weak smile.

“I-I’m fine, Ma’am” though she couldn’t even convince herself with the way her voice squeaked. Judging by the disbelieving look she has shot shortly after, the pink female didn’t think she sold the older mare on that lie either.

“You don’t have to talk about it, Sugar Cube” the mare replied smoothly, with a sort of practiced refinement “But perhaps we can turn your mind away from it...I’m Sweet Gold” Sniffling again, the pony rubbed her muzzle a little before Sweet Gold offered out a handkerchief. Muttering a small thanks, the chubby pony loudly blew her nose into the offering.

“Delilah” she finally said as she regained her composure “Delilah May, I’m from a small town just past the Whitetail Woods”

“Pleasure to meet you, Delilah” the older mare replied, “You have such a lovely name”. This made Delilah smile a little and play with her mane.

“Th-Thanks”

“What is a small town Sweetheart like you doing on this train all by yourself?” Gold asked sitting down next to the purely pink mare still clutching her blue bag.

“I’m going to Oatly Burg...It’s a city...I kind of like the bustle and noise” Delilah replied softly as her eyes flickered out toward the window again “I want to start my own business as my father did in my town...I want to make a flower shop” The apple green mare beside her lit up with a brilliant warm smile. It kind of reminded Delilah of her mother back home.

“What a coincidence!” Sweet Gold replied waving down a waitress with a cart full of yummy goodies “I live in Oatly Burg. I was coming back home after visiting my father’s sugarcane farm in near Appleloosa” Delilah blinked trying to hide the quick look at the older female’s cutie mark. It was two sugarcane sticks crossed together with a yellow disk or halo around them. But what got her confused was the fact she said her father was a farm pony. Sure Sweet Gold appeared Earth pony so that wasn’t what was amiss. It was the way she held herself and the refined way she spoke. That didn’t ring down-home country mare. It sounded more high class with a touch of southern drawl.

“I...I don’t mean to be rude...but-” Delilah paused trying to figure out how to word it.

“I don’t sound like a farmer’s daughter, do I?” Sweet Gold cut in smiling her warm smile “I suppose that happens when you marry into a different circle”. The green mare chuckles a bit and lets her gold mane cover one eye “My husband is Crisp Apple”. Delilah sucked in a breath as her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

“THE Crisp Apple? The owner of Apple Crisp Cereal Incorporated?” She asked as the green female paid for two strawberry cupcakes and placed them on the small table in front of them.

“That’s him Sugar Cube” Sweet Gold replied. She pushed a cupcake closer to Delilah who, out of shock, grasped it lamely.

“H-He’s the biggest entrepreneur in Oatly Burg!” the bubblegum pink pony gushed in utter astonishment. The older female sighed smiling a strained smile.

“Yes, that’s my Crisp” she replied fluffing her mane in a slightly uncomfortable manner as other ponies started to take notice of the two “Could you turn it down a notch, Sugar...we are gaining spectators” Delilah blinked slapping a hoof over her mouth as if it could take the words back.

“S-Sorry...I was just...a bit startled. How long have you two been married?”

“A bit over a year now” Sweet Gold replied “The magazines have yet to correct the fact he’s not a bachelor anymore” Sweet Gold huffed scrunching her muzzle in an irritated fashion.

“Ye-Yeah” Delilah quietly added ‘Burn All Crisp Apple Pinups’ to her list of things to do in Oatly Burg. She was glad she was pink as there was a bit of an embarrassed blush tinting her cheeks. The bubblegum pink pony timidly took a bite out of the cupcake she was graciously offered. “S-So How did you two meet?”

“Sugar Cube, that’s a long LONG story...Maybe I’ll tell you that one later...AFTER I show you around Oatly Burg” the green mare emphasized her words and Delilah’s eyes sparked to life.

“R-Really?!” she squeaked only to cover her mouth with her hoof again and offer a softer “Really?” The green mare nodded smiling at the fire inside the younger mare.

“Of course, Sugar Cube” Sweet Gold replied “I can’t have a sweet small town mare like yourself getting lost! After all, We small-town gals have to stick together” Delilah’s shoulders relaxed quite a bit. For the first time since the train left her hometown, Delilah felt like things were going right. She made a friend. It didn’t hurt that she was married to a rich stallion but, she tried not to let that greedy thought soil this budding friendship. She needed friends here. Otherwise, this was going to be a very painful experience.

The two ate the cupcakes together on the train; occasionally sharing a laugh at Delilah’s poor dining etiquette. This continued on until Sweet Gold looked out the window.

“Delilah! Look!” and the pink mare whirled to look out the window. Her blue eyes widened soaking in the sight of tall buildings, glass windows, and steel. “Welcome to Oatly Burg, Sugar” Sweet Gold drawled watching the gumball pink mare fawn over the pegasi flying to work and the new sounds. She was going to fit into this city just fine.

Getting off the train, the pair were greeted by a pink stallion dressed in a dark blue drivers uniform and cap. Sprays of light blue mane peeked out from under his cap as he bowed a bit to Sweet Gold. He was tall and thin with a short, well-groomed tail. Sweet Gold waved happily to him and told him to put Delilah’s luggage in the carriage. Though he did give a slightly confused look, the colt did as he was told.

“Y-You sure that it’s alright, Mrs. Apple?” Delilah was quickly shushed at her protest.

“Gold to you, young filly” the older mare retorted with a smile “And of course I am showing you the town remember? Now, where are you staying? I will have my lovely chauffeur drop off your things as we go” Delilah flushed a bright red and rubbed her front hooves together.

“Oh...uh you see I...didn’t really think that far ahead” she replied mortified that she was caught off guard with all this. She had not even thought of a place to rest her head? She was really out of her depth. Sweet Gold looked shocked for a moment with wide sapphire eyes. After she composed herself and put a hoof to her chin, she smiled.

“I have an idea but, I will have to ask my husband about it...Come and rest at our home for a little bit. I’ll discuss my idea with him while you do”

Author's Note

(Co-Written and Proofread by ZephyrStrife)

(Mild Suggestive Themes and Mild Language)

Fun extra! Concept art of Sweet Gold!

Swift Service

Delilah couldn’t believe she was in a carriage and on her way to meet one of the most influential stallions in this city. The pink mare sat awkwardly beside the much more mature and elegant, Sweet Gold. No wonder Crisp Apple married her, Delilah thought as she felt the weight of the cupcake she had eaten earlier sink into her chubby frame. She’s so pretty...I can’t help but, feel like I’m an ugly duckling next to her. Sweet Gold had a pleasant muted green coat and long luxurious golden locks. Her eyes were a darker shade of blue than Delilah’s with a cute heart-shaped beauty mark under her left eye. Delilah thought of her pudgy freckled face and shuddered slightly. Memories. Faint, soaked in sorrow as they crawled through the gasoline black depths of her mind.

“Delilah...Delilah, Darlin...DELILAH!” The pink pony snapped out of the dark inky thoughts to whirl around and look at the mare beside her. She was greeted by a worried looking Sweet Gold. “Sugarcube...Are you sure you are alright?” the older female’s eyes seemed to flicker as if looking at something on the mare’s face. Then Delilah realized her face was wet…

“O-Oh” the wavy maned pony sniffed then hurriedly dried her tearing eyes “Y-Yes...I’m fine...I was just...It must be dry air” she stumbled out an excuse not willing to let this mare into that dark place in her mind. Though she could tell she needed a higher skill in lying to fool Sweet Gold. Judging by her new friend’s expression Delilah was an open book of emotions. But the older mare let her have her little lie and pressed no further.

“I was asking you if you had an idea of what you want your shop to be like,” Sweet Gold said trying to turn the subject “I’m curious just how far you have thought ahead on this dream of yours” Delilah May blinked regaining some composure before smiling.

“Oh yes! I thought about this so many times” she replied gaining a bit of life as she talked about her dream “I want it to be on a relatively busy street...Hoof traffic is good for business, I want windows to display flowers a-and a place to arrange and cut the stems...most of all I want it to have an upstairs where I can live. I like the idea of being so close to work” She watched Sweet Gold put a hoof to her chin as if she was envisioning this shop the pink mare had put so much thought into.

“Have you thought of how you are going to get this place?” the older mare asked with a motherly note in her tone. The bubble gum mare’s eyes widened in startled shock then narrowed softly in a mix of sadness and shame.

“N-No...I-I guess I’ll just have to find a job until I can afford it” she admitted softly to the older mare. She hadn’t thought much into any of this aside from her parents buying her a ticket here and some spare change. Perhaps she had been too confident in her abilities. She begged her parents to let her leave their hometown to start up a business. Much to her mother’s dismay, her father fed into this passion and bought her ticket to Oatly Burg. She suddenly felt like she made a very big mistake. This place was far from her cute little town. Her family was far away...and she was all alone. She had been so desperate to get away from…

“Mrs. Apple” Delilah was shaken from her thoughts as the carriage driver came to a stop and called out to Sweet Gold “We are here”

Delilah gaped open-mouthed at the abode which stood like a great monument between her and the rolling hills framing the valley. The architecture seemed a mix between the stonework of Canterlot for a foundation and the homey, rustic appeal of a rural village for everything above the first floor. It was trimmed in a pale wood with an apple red paint on the main walls. Decorating the large double oak doors was a golden apple. Delilah recognized it as Crisp Apple’s logo for his company and his cutie mark. The bubble gum pink pony was frankly star struck. She never thought that she would be standing in front of Oatly Burg’s richest stallion’s home. Well, maybe one or two late-night bedroom fantasies.

“Well come on, Sugarcube” Delilah was jarred from those thoughts to see Sweet Gold standing at the large oak doors waiting for her. She had been fantasizing so long Sweet Gold was already out. Blushing a cranberry red, the pink pony stumbled out of the carriage as she fumbled a few apologies. She kept it to herself that she was kind of thinking about her new friend’s husband. Sweet Gold smiled chuckling a bit as the chubby mare came to stand beside her.

“Welcome to Apple Crisp Manor” the older mare announced as the doors parted. Delilah gulped as a large unicorn stood in the now open doors. He had large gold-rimmed glasses, a dark swept back mane and a pale blue coat. He looked down at the chubby pony with a flat look of disdain. Delilah tipped her muzzle down a little to let her wavy mane hide her face a bit. This stallion was making her uncomfortable.

“Hello, Swift Service” Sweet Gold chimed as the large unicorn moved out of her way. As Delilah went to follow her new friend, the large stallion cleared his throat and stepped in her way again. The pink pony shrunk down a little and her ears fell flat against her skull. She heard Sweet Gold stop short on the hard marble floor.

“No no, Swift Service, this is my guest! Now be a dear and let her through” Delilah smiled sheepishly up at the glowering stallion. With a grunt, the large stallion removed himself from her path. Delilah scooted around him nervously before scrambling after Sweet Gold. The pudgy mare kept close to her friend as the stallion’s gaze slowly released its icy grip. Once out of eyesight, the pink pony sighed in relief.

“He was...friendly?” Delilah murmured trying to be polite about this little exchange.

“Don’t worry about him, Darlin” the elegant earth pony mare replied “He’s been like that for ages...Took him a solid six months to even get a smile when I moved in” She tossed her head a bit to get her mane out of her eyes. They came to a large waiting room at the end of a marble and stone hallway. Large chocolate brown sofas and chairs lined the walls accompanied by a few oak coffee tables.

“You can rest here, Sugarcube” Sweet Gold said motioning to the seating “I will go find my husband” The apple green mare smiled watching Delilah nervously choose a seat. “You’ll keep her entertained, Swift Service?” Delilah jolted at the loud grunt beside her seat. Scrambling back a little she came face to face with the gloomy stallion. She...She was leaving her alone with HIM? The pudgy female gulped casting a pleading look to her new friend. But she was long gone. She could hear her hoof steps clicking as they went farther down the marble hall.

And so began the awkward silence…

Delilah sat with her front hooves neatly on her lap. She could hear the clock sitting in the opposite corner of the room ticking away. Tick. Tick. Tick. She timidly cast a glance over toward Swift Service. The stallion remained standing in the same position. His eyes fixed ahead of him as if counting the moments till Sweet Gold’s return. If she hadn’t been any wiser she would have thought he was in the royal guard.

“S-So...What do you do, Swift Service?” Delilah asked trying to break this long silence. It was rather uncomfortable to sit there in this weird silence. The unicorn sighed a bit before actually giving his reply.

“I serve Mr. and Mrs. Apple”

“Oh well, How do you serve them? Do You cook, clean or-”

“No, I mainly serve the Mrs.” the mare's ears flattened as her poor virgin mind fluttered to a much dirtier place “I bring her favorite tea, lavender with a touch of cane sugar, or when the time calls for it...I hurt anypony who gets too close to the Mr. and Mrs.” The stallion cast her a bland look “I got this job because I am very good at what I do” Delilah swallowed softly moving her gaze away from the stallion’s intense stare.

“At making tea?” she asked in a hopeful manner, trying to avoid direct eye contact.

“No, hurting other ponies” he replied bluntly “I have perfected a spell that can crush a marble bust within moments...Care for a demonstration?”

“NO THANK YOU!” Delilah blurted out turning her gaze fully on him to see a generic bust hovering next to the stallion with a faint violet light around it. The stallion looked a bit startled as his eyelids now stretched up revealing his violet eyes.

“O-Oh...That’s disappointing...Alright” the stallion levitated the bust back onto the stand it was sitting on.

It was after another long moment of silence Delilah heard hooves clicking on the marble floor again. Sweet Gold’s lean and feminine frame came around the corner. Delilah thought she was going to faint in relief seeing her friend. Thank Celestia…

“I’m back! I trust Swift Service was accommodating to your entertainment needs, Sugar?” The chubby mare glanced warily at the large stallion who was watching her intently.

“Y-Yes, he was fine…” Delilah fibbed trembling as she got to her hooves.

“Oh! That’s wonderful!” Gold chimed motioning with the tip of her head for Delilah to follow “Come on now, Crisp would like to fill you in on our idea”

Author's Note

(Co-Written and Proof Read by ZephyrStrife)

(Mild Suggestive Themes and Mild Profanity)

Crisp Apple

Delilah was incredibly uncomfortable as she followed Sweet Gold. She was uncomfortable not because she was going to see a stallion she had fawned over in the odd adult magazine. No, it was the large unicorn towering behind her. His hooves were thumping behind her on the cold marble floor. Once in a while, the odd rug would soften the sound. But not by much…

Delilah cast a nervous glance back seeing the stallion was only looking ahead and not directly at her. She felt like her body was slowly shrinking to try and hide from the stallion. He was just so intimidating.

Guess he was good at his job…

“Here we are!” Sweet Gold pulled Delilah back into the world outside her messed up mind “My beloved Crisp’s home office!”

Delilah peered around her new friend to see a large oak door with a small gold sign inscribed with ‘OFFICE’. Delilah gulped trying to mentally prepare for her brain’s inevitable “buck up”. She knew full well she was going to have a hard time in this encounter. In order to keep this good budding friendship, Delilah was ready to battle herself through this entire thing. She watched as the muted green mare tapped her hoof on the oak door. The sound echoing through Delilah’s terrified frame. Her heart was in her throat and her hooves were shaking a bit. She knew this was going to be hard.

“Come in, Sweetie” came a calm but, affectionate male voice. Delilah bit her lip a bit watching Gold open the door slightly.

“I brought Delilah to see you, Dear” the mare replied before opening the door fully and motioning the chubby mare inside. Delilah cast a wary glance back at the bulky Swift Service as well as the lithe Sweet Gold before she trotted inside.

Delilah’s eye first took in the room itself. Perhaps delaying from actually looking at the stallion she was to meet. The floor was a candy apple red rug. The walls a soft but, generic shade beige trimmed with a lighter cream at the bottom and top of the wall. A few paintings of apple farms dotted the walls as well as an oak bookshelf resting on the far right wall. There was a large window directly ahead of her. It was framed by deep green and gold curtains. Sitting at a large mahogany desk, in the middle of it all, was a slim elegant pegasus stallion.

Crisp Apple.

Delilah’s pale blue eyes flickered nervously. Memories. They seeped into her mind again. She could never fully escape them, could she? The well-groomed stallion glanced up from some paperwork on his desk. His mane was slicked back in a sensible fashion. Delilah swallowed hard as his purple eyes locked onto her. But her eyes weren’t on his…

They rested on the two wings that were slightly open as they rested on his sides. They were a bit longer than average. Colored the same candy apple red. They moved a bit directing her eyes back to his. A giant blush set her face alight as the stallion’s expression became a bit put off. She hadn’t realized she had been lingering on them for so long. Her head turned slightly catching movement out of the corner of her eye. Sweet Gold had set her pristine smiling self to Delilah’s immediate left.

Oh, dear Luna...Please let me disappear!

That endless labyrinth that went back to the same old dead ends. Opening and closing her mouth a bit, she struggled for an excuse for her somewhat forward actions.

“I assume you are the Delilah May my Sweetie is referring to?” Crisp Apple had cleared his throat as if to distract from the weird silence that had hung over the room.

“Y-Yes” Delilah stammered avoiding looking directly at Sweet Gold “Yes, Sir” How could she do this to Sweet Gold? Ogling her husband after she so graciously brought her to her home. Brought her to meet such a powerful stallion! A very...very powerful…

Delilah bit the inside of her cheek to get out of that trap her mind was setting up for her. She shook her head a bit only straightening as Crisp Apple spoke once more.

“So from what I understand” The stallion started pushing back his seat and standing “You have it in your mind to start up a flower shop in Oatly Burg?” He gathered a paper in his wings making Delilah tremble while she tried not to stare. She nodded shakily her eyes darting to see Sweet Gold sitting still beside her. She was looking intently at Delilah then to her beloved husband. Had she not seen her stare at her husband? Delilah snapped back hearing Crisp Apple speak again.

“You came here with no funds for a place to stay as well?” Delilah felt shame poke through the general uncomfortable feeling she had.

“T-That’s somewhat true...I only have a little...not enough for a full place, though” Delilah replied with a trembling voice. Crisp Apple was a lithe stallion...but boy did he command the room. Just like an owner of a company should. He hummed a bit flipping through the papers in his wings a little. She braced herself for the worst thing she could think of.

“Well, I have a building I could rent to you” the stallion mused pausing on one paper in particular “I was going to tear it down and put a warehouse there...But my Sweetie spoke so fondly of you” The stallion looked up at his wife. Delilah blinked finally turning to look at Sweet Gold as well as Crisp Apple. Her heart flinched at the love and affection exchanged in their gaze. Another piece of her self confidence chipped off pitifully.

“Well tell her, Darlin” Gold giggled breaking the stare as she covered her muzzle with her hoof. Delilah looked up from her thoughts again meeting Crisp Apple’s now professional gaze.

“I will be allowing you to rent this building as both your apartment and place of business” he declared with a slight smile. The chubby pony felt her heart jump in her throat. Was this really happening? He...He was really giving her a place?

“Keep in mind I will need first month’s rent and a security deposit” he warned “I am willing to put it off till you have a job but after I expect prompt payments” Delilah felt tears prick the back of her eyes.

“O-...Oh Gosh...T-Thank you, Sir” Delilah sputtered her throat thick with glee. She looked at Sweet Gold. Her friend. The pony that got her this opportunity. The pale green female smiled warmly.

“Don’t thank us yet, Sugar Cube” she drawled resting a hoof on her shoulder “You and I still have unfinished business”

Author's Note

(Mild Suggestive Themes and Mild Language)

(Proofread and co-written by Zephyr Strife)

Tour of the Town

Delilah gazed excitedly out at the town that was now her home. She sat in the same carriage across from Sweet Gold. The lithe muted green mare was happily chatting about all the spots that were hot in the town. She advised Delilah to be on the lookout for a job as her husband would want payments as soon as possible. They were kind but, Crisp Apple was a business pony. You can’t run a business like his on kindness alone. Delilah tried to pay attention but her mind was wandering. It floated over the smooth stone buildings and under the colorful awnings. The flashy signs of stores and the bustle of the whole town. Occasionally she found herself staring at a Pegasus stallion too long. But she would be brought back by Sweet Gold who would remind her to pay attention to her.

The pink and blue driver dropped them off on a rather busy street. Gold sweetly told the driver to deliver Delilah’s things to the building. They were going on a little walk. Delilah watched as the stallion nodded to his boss and trotted onward with the carriage. Gold smiled at her with that warm smile that made Delilah feel guilty. She did just feel up Gold’s husband with her eyes just a few hours ago. Delilah blinked as a hoof touched her shoulder. Gold was motioning for them to start walking and Delilah smiled. They started at a slow drawing pace. Different from the busy ponies around her. They were pushing and shoving their way along as if they all had some place to be. Delilah liked this feeling. The energy of a place like this. A place where she could be motivated to fulfill her dreams. The pink pony turned her head to Gold who motioned ahead of them.

“There is a fabulous restaurant between here and your house” Sweet Gold told her as they wiggled past a long line of ponies “It only recently cropped up but, EVERYPONY in town has been nuts over it” They walked by the seeming never ending line of ponies to a grand looking restaurant front. The facade was simple and elegant at the same time, it looked like a cross between an office building and a cathedral. Tall glass windows allowed passersby to look in at the nearly-full restaurant dining area, though they were tinted to keep too much sun from getting in, and the main door looked as grand as one would see on a mansion. Warm browns, blacks and grey colors were blended throughout the wall and floor paint to give everything an inviting, natural look. Above the magnificent doors was a large sign with the name, “Season’s Greetings”.

“We should go there sometime.” Sweet Gold chuckled with a smile as she saw the stunned look on Delilah’s face. “Not right now though, we’re on a bit of a path and Crisp loves to be on-schedule for everything…” She trailed off a little, smirking a bit as she leaned closer and whispered in her friend’s ear. “...and I mean everything…” A long chuckle escaped the older mare as she walked away from a very red-faced Delilah. The pudgy, pink pony knew that if she had wings they would be stiff as boards if the heat on her face was anything to go by. Stiffly, Delilah followed after the older mare. Her ears tipped back as she caught up wondering if Sweet Gold had noted her looks at Crisp Apple. But it seemed they were onto the next destination.

Gold had really picked up the pace. Delilah stressed a bit trying to keep up with the more fit Earth pony. She really needed to get back to her runs. That was the only way she was able to keep a stable weight. AS if reading her mind, Sweet Gold turned and ushered her across the street. After exiting the crosswalk, Delilah was face to face with the gates of a park. Soft gentle hills were cut through by a softly looping pathway. Dotted with gravel and dirt, Sweet Gold led her right into the park.

“This is Blue Horseshoe Park” the muted green mare continued leading the way through the lush grasses and the occasional oak tree “This is a great place to feel close to nature here...Being a farmer’s daughter, I love coming here” Delilah smiled looking around at the fillies playing tag and the sight of picnics dotting the sides of the path. Occasionally, a pony would greet them. One asked Gold how she was which led to an entire conversation Delilah couldn’t keep up with.

After that whirlwind of a tour, Delilah found herself crossing the street again with Sweet Gold. The tall buildings giving way to smaller, quainter shops. Delilah looked through each of the windows as they passed. There was so many shops here. She wondered if they all lived at their shops too. It made the most sense.

A square shape caught her eye as they started to pass a wood and stone shop. The smell of sweets and coffee with heavy in the air. She blinked seeing the shape was a help wanted sign. Her blue eyes tipped up to read the wood sign above the door. Vanilla and Mint’s Coffee Lounge. Furrowing her brows she looked back down at the mahogany and glass door. SHe saw there were ponies talking to a pretty white unicorn mare. There was another chocolate unicorn mare that was serving pastries to another pony.

“This place here has the best coffee in town, wakes me right up after a rough night… or when I have to stay up all night running the business.” Sweet Gold said with a smirk as the two of them stopped a few paces away from the shop. “You should really try it if you’ve gotta get a strong pick me up, my driver actually says he comes here every da-...Oh! There he is!” She cut herself off, quickly waving to the blue and pink stallion that was leaving the shop with a dejected look. Gold waved to him yet, eh barely seemed to notice. Though when he did it was noted. He then gave a nod to his boss and left in the other direction. Delilah watched him for a moment wondering what his look was before.

“Delilah, Dear” Sweet Gold jarred her from her thoughts “There’s a cute little shop up ahead” Delilah glanced at the sign before trotting to keep up with Sweet Gold. Once she did catch up, Gold was looking in the window of a...shower shop? Delilah blinked as she peered in with Sweet Gold to see various versions of showers in display. Quirking a brow, Delilah looked up at the name of the shop.

April Showers.

Huh. That was an amusing concept. But Delilah look at Sweet Gold who smiled innocently. What was she trying to tell her? The pink pony watched her friend giggle a little before she motioned for Delilah to turn around. So Delilah did. She looked across the street to see a worn down store front. It looked like nopony had set hoof in it for years. Delilah was confused turning to look at her friend.

“There it is Delilah” Gold replied to her questioning gaze “That’s your shop!”

Delilah’s eyes shrunk to pin prick. Her...shop? She hadn’t expected perfection...but this place was-.

Delilah was then dragged across the street again by Sweet Gold. Ushered inside through the creaky and rusted door. Delilah blinked owlishly as she now looked around the place. Broke floor panels, cobwebs and boarded windows. Delilah felt her eye twitch at every imperfection. She looked to Sweet Gold who was smiling excitedly. Delilah felt she couldn’t disappoint her new friend.

“I...It’s nice?” the pudgy pony asked herself more than Gold.

“Isn’t it?” Sweet chimed “It’s just like what you told me! I am having my driver pick up a bed for you so you can sleep upstairs. He’ll help you lift it. But sadly I have to go now...Crisp will need to spend quality time with me” Delilah blushed a bit as her friend turned around but, her heart stopped when Sweet Gold did. The mare turned a sickly sweet smile on her face.

“And remember, Sugarcube~” she said sweetly “He’s mine”

Author's Note

Bit of a rushed job here sorry!

Vanilla Frappe

Delilah had a horrible night. The driver had shown up and dropped off the bed...but it was little more than a mattress that now rested on the floor. The house was dusty and rickety. The pink pony had taken a shower only to find the shower head was busted. Bath it was...good thing there was a shower place across the street. Her luggage was piled in a corner though it was neater than the house in her opinion. She shuffled through her saddle bag for a brush after her bath. Her hair was already turning into its final form. She hated it natural...It was wild and tangled. She preferred the wavy effect but, she barely had enough hair products. So there was a horrible little curl stubbornly standing against her brush. Delilah felt like she wanted to cry…

No. She can’t cry today. She had to find a job. Delilah sighed softly not knowing where to start in looking for one. Then a flash of color flitted over her memories. The coffee shop’s ‘Help Wanted’ Sign. Delilah blinked as she thought about it. It was close by. Maybe if she saved enough she could talk to her father about fixing up the shop? She hesitated at that thought. She didn’t want her mother to think she was floundering. It would put unnecessary stress on her. She had to start somewhere. The coffee shop seemed like the best option.

Delilah found herself standing outside the coffee shop. She fussed with her mane as it seemed to refuse to stay in neat waves. The chubby pink mare swallowed hard and closed her eyes. Inhale. Exhale. With that, Delilah opened the door to the coffee shop. Her ears quirked as she heard a charming little bell jingle above her head. It signaled the sterling white unicorn at the counter she had entered. The unicorn was a rather attractive looking mare. She reminded Delilah of those Canterlot models she saw in fashion magazines. Tall, thin with a longer horn than the average. Her eyes were a crystal blue half covered by heavy pink shadowed lids. Her mane made Delilah want to rip her own out of her head. Smooth chocolate strands in waves like a chocolate whip cream. Delilah wanted to shrink into nothingness as the prettier pony smiled at her.

“May I help you, Darling” the unicorn’s voice had a regal air to it similar to Sweet Gold’s but, this one was a natural dialect not learned as her country friend’s. Delilah swallowed trying to find her courage and not turn around to flee.

“I...I’m here to...um...I saw the help wanted sign and…” the chubby pink pony broke eye contact from the elegant unicorn. The white mare quirked a brow showing she was confused by the earth pony ’s timidness.

“Oh you are here to apply for the job?” she asked cutting Delilah’s train of thought off. Delilah straightened and blinked before she nodded a confirmation. The unicorn smiled a movie star smile. She trotted out from behind the counter showing she was indeed taller than Delilah by a good head. “Oh that’s wonderful!, my lazy sister, Mint Chocolate, hasn’t come in today and I’m DYING for some help” Delilah smiled sheepishly wondering if that meant she would get the job if she did a good enough job helping this unicorn.

“I’m Delilah May”

“Pleasure, I am Vanilla Frappe”

“Oh okay, what do I do?” Delilah asked but, the answer made her blood freeze over.

“Well we will start you on baking more cupcakes...we ran out yesterday and my SISTER forgot to tell me” the unicorn mare sighed dramatically. Delilah wanted to just crawl under a rock. Everyone in her home town knew her mother's baking was the best in town. They also knew Delilah had not gained an ounce of her mother’s baking talent. Delilah prayed they had smoke detectors…

“Now follow me” Vanilla chimed happily oblivious to Delilah’s discomfort “I’ll get you started”

Delilah slipped the apron over her head as Vanilla handed her a hair tie to keep her mane back. Fussing over the wild curling, Delilah put it in the messiest bun she had ever seen. Vanilla didn’t say a word though. She just seemed too happy to have someone there.

“So why are you applying to work here, Darling,” the unicorn asked as she got flour and baking soda down.

“I...I uh...I need a job because I’m renting a shop down the street…” Delilah replied squinting at the recipe book.

“Oh goodness it isn’t that old rickety place, Crisp Apple owns is it?” the mare asked, “I think that place should be torn down”

“You and me both” Delilah muttered

“What was that, Darling?”

“Uh...Unfortunately Ma’am…” Delilah said sheepishly “I’m hoping to save some money to get it fixed up a bit...Maybe have my own flower shop someday” the sterling white mare’s eyes lit up.

“Oh you are an entrepreneur as well?!” she gushed smiling that same bright smile “Oh this is wonderful!” The mare set the ingredients on the counter in front of Delilah. “The oven is right over there and here is the timer,” Vanilla told her “I’ll be back to check on you in a while” She then left Delilah panicking internally.

Sweet Gold said goodbye to the lovely shop owner she bought a new outfit from. She smiled to herself as she tucked the blue dress into her saddle back so no one would see it on her way home. This was a wonderful day shopping. Especially since she was shopping for her new friend. She felt only a little bad about putting her in this situation. She was a sweet girl. Even if she ogled her husband the moment they met. Sweet Gold smiled to herself. Perhaps she had taken too much joy in it.

Sweet Gold was ripped from her thoughts as a loud siren cut through the normal chatter. Sweet Gold turned watching a fire cart speed down the road telling others to get out of the way.

“Oh dear” Sweet Gold mused watching them blaze away “I hope everything is alright”

Delilah May stood in horror next to Vanilla Frappe as the fire fighting ponies rushed into the flaming kitchen. Delilah slowly turned her head and looked at Vanilla Frappe. Her eyes were twitching and Delilah could tell the unicorn was under stress. Delilah wanted to cry. Her bottom lip trembled and she looked to back to the flames.

“...Am I fired?” Delilah asked her voice cracking with emotion. The unicorn turned with her eyes cold and narrow. The unicorn looked her up and down seems to consider it for a long moment. She opened her mouth to say something then shook her head and put her hoof to her muzzle.

“No…” Vanilla replied, “How you set the oven on fire I will never know...but you are not fired…” Delilah blinked in surprise. How lucky was she???

“Mint will train you on coffee tomorrow…” Vanilla sighed “No open flame”

Mint Chocolate

Delilah came into the shop the next morning. The smell of smoke and burnt objects was still in the air. But the fire-ponies had saved the kitchen. The oven, unfortunately, was beyond hope. Delilah still felt bad about what had happened. She should have told Vanilla she was a wreck in the kitchen. Vanilla, by the Sisters, had given her one more chance due to the fact her sister seemed to be missing more often. Vanilla needed help around the shop and Delilah happened to be an extra pair of hooves. Though the new rule was Delilah was to not set hoof in the kitchen for any reason.

“For the LAST time Vanilla….I left you a NOTE on your bedroom door that I was taking the day off and that the spare pastries would be delivered TODAY” Delilah blinked as she heard a strange almost monotone voice. Delilah closed the door looking toward the counter to see a tall beautiful chocolate colored unicorn mare. She had a mint colored mane cut short with two curled bangs that rested on either side of her horn. Purple eyes, donning a purplish pink eyeshadow, looked at her sister in mild frustration. Her lip curled in a manner that made Delilah think she was upset but, very subtle. Across from her was the white unicorn who had hired her the day before, Vanilla Frappe.

“I didn’t see a note, Mint” the chocolate maned one huffed turning up her nose at her sister.

“It was a hot pink note...you love hot pink I thought you would notice” despite the monotone, an underlying hint of exasperation showed through her tone. “I even pinned it right to your personal reflection room door so that when you went to brood-...”

Her sentence was cut off when the white hoof of her sister quickly shoved itself against her muzzle. “You said you wouldn’t say anything about that room!” Vanilla hissed.

Delilah coughed rousing the chocolate mare’s attention. Her violet eyes turned to rest on her as a subtle smile filled her otherwise placid expression as she removed her sister’s hoof from her muzzle. Delilah didn’t know if it was her being excited to see her or the relief of her interrupting. Though Delilah had a hard time knowing if the smile was her imagination.

“You must be Delilah,” the mare said making Vanilla turn her head to see the pudgy pink pony “I hear you had quite the first day...wish I was here to see it...With Vanilla nothing interesting happens here” The white mare cast her sister a pouting glare which was gracefully ignored.

“I will be training you on coffee today and setting you up with the table numbers so you can be our waitress” the mare spoke with an even and cool tone as she motioned for Delilah to follow her “Vanilla remember you have an appointment at two”

Vanilla scoffed at her sister muttering something about how she would remember before leaving Delilah in the hooves of the chocolate unicorn. Delilah followed behind the second pretty mare. These two unicorns were probably of a higher breed. They had the classic Canterlot body. Tall with shapely legs and a well-shaped face. She followed the mare to a back room where she was instructed on washing her hooves and given a spare apron.

“I’m Mint Chocolate, by the way, but you can just call me Mint” she added after her spiel on safety “Vanilla is my twin sister, I do hope she has been treating you well. She gets a bit cranky under stress” Delilah let her ears fall back nervously as her eyes darted a bit.

“Considering what happened yesterday...She has been far too kind to me” the pink pony murmured rubbing a hoof over the other in shame.

“Oh yes, I heard all about it this morning” the unicorn replied her horn lighting up as she tied the apron strings for the earth pony “It was quite the excitement...But don’t worry about it Vanilla knows her way around hiccups like this...have you seen her try to knit? She is awful” Delilah was perplexed by the way the chocolate mare just ignored the gravity of what she had done. Just passively regarded it and moved on.

“Alright...I’ll start you on an easy one…”

Delilah was getting the hang of operating the coffee machine thing. At first, the felt like she was even burning the coffee but, Mint was a saint and helped her along the way. She was happily cleaning a mug so they could reuse it for a table when she heard the bell over the door jingle. It was slow and getting to the end of the shift for her. She was surprised anyone came in. The pudgy pink pony peaked out to see the new customer and her whole body just froze in place.

It was like she had died and gone to heaven. She checked just in case with a subtle hoof to her chest to see if her heart was still beating… and beat it certainly did. It was trying to burst a hole through her chest. The stallion that walked in looked like he had been carved out of some sort of purple marble, his features were perfect in every way that she looked at them. Her head was spinning and she had to fan her burning face. He even had a mane of gold that was shaped to look like the decorative flair on the helmets of the Royal Guards. It almost seemed like they were trying to copy his short-cropped mohawk. Her eyes lingered a long time on one particular aspect of their newest customer just as he passed them…

Even folded up his wings looked like they were huge! Something prodded her side but, Delilah’s focus was entirely on his body until she looked up just enough to see that he had his gaze partially on her even as he spoke with Vanilla. The blood that rushed to her face made her feel like it was on fire while she watched the pair walk over to a table. Something strange happened when he reached one of his massive wings out to grab the chair he was about to sit in… she could’ve sworn she had seen him smirk as she blacked out.

“Delilah… Delilah!” Mint called to her in a concerned monotone as she stood taller than her. It took only a few moments to realize she was laying on the floor though. “Delilah, can you hear me?”

Delilah nodded a little as she slowly stood up and tried regaining her bearings. “Y-yeah… I think I’m fine…”

“Good… I was a little worried.” Mint said with her subtle smile. “I thought we had a goat walk in because I heard a bleat… but when I looked around to find them I saw you on the floor. Did you slip?” Delilah May felt her soul die a little on the inside. The mare rubbed her burning cheek with a hoof as she tried to figure out what to say.

“Y-Yeah...Totally my fault I should have been more careful” she lied smiling sheepishly. Delilah chewed her lips nervously hoping her lie was bought. By the subtle smile on Mint’s face, she was assured it was. Or maybe Mint was just good at pretending? She didn’t know.

“Well go get a mop and bucket then we need to make sure the floor is clean” Delilah nodded turning on her hooves and heading toward the supply closet. As she did so she found herself looking for the regal outline of the pegasus stallion. But sadly he was nowhere to be seen. Her heart sunk and she wondered why she was getting her hopes up anyway. A stallion as perfect as that had to be taken already. Plus she…

Delilah shook her head before it tried to trot down that dark memory. She got the mop and slowly made her way back to Mint.

“Mint?”

“Yes?”

“Who was that stallion before...the Purple one with the….large wings?” Delilah blushed describing this stallion. The memory of his wings alone threatened to make her pass out again.

“Oh that was Oregano, Oregano Season” the chocolate mare replied with a soft subtle smile “He is the owner of the restaurant Season’s Greetings...He has been trying to convince Vanilla to partner with him for about a week or so now”

Her gaze directed itself towards the window as her mind wandered to places that made her glad she wasn’t a pegasus. It had to be a nightmare for them to hide whenever they had the thoughts she did. Then again, they often would flare their wings whether in surprise or excitement… maybe it was easier for them to disguise it.

She was shaken from her reverie as the bell for the door clinked and took her attention back to the real world. A laugh was strangled as it tried to escape from her throat. Their newest customer was a pegasus, though the proportions of his body seemed almost comical. He had the physique of a bodybuilder, though not to the extreme that he was nothing but muscle since she still saw a few soft curves. Against his side were a pair of normal-sized wings though, which when compared to the rest of his body seemed almost puny and too small to lift him off the ground. To complete the package was the almost dopey grin on his face as he trotted up to Mint.

“Hey, Babe! I just got us tickets to tonight’s show! Even got a bonus ticket to bring your sis along if she finally wants to get out of this place!” His excitement was palpable as he almost started bouncing in place.

Mint’s frown was just as subtle as her smiles. “Sorry, hun… Vanilla has already retired to her Reflection Room...”

The marble-colored stallion let out a small sigh. “Oh… that’s too bad.” his dejected tone was enough to make his blue mane seem just a little sadder than it really should have been. It took a moment but he actually noticed Delilah as he brought his gaze back up. “Oh… Mint, who’s she?”

The chocolate-colored mare’s gaze seemed to imperceptibly light up as her smile returned. “Hey, Delilah… want to see a Junk concert?”

Author's Note

Big thanks to Zephyr from helping me get this done at like midnight

Star Dust

Delilah had no idea how she got into her current situation. Not the whole ‘being in Oatley Burg’ situation. But how she found herself being the awkward third wheel between Mint Chocolate and her coltfriend, Star Dust. He was the strangest pegasus that she had ever seen. Sure he was about as average as one could think of a pegasus who worked out, though not to the extent of the bodybuilder types. Even his personality made her think of him as an overexcited sibling than as a stallion not related to her. Even the puppy eyes he made when he pleaded for her to join Mint and him on their excursion gave the aura of a child in her mind rather than a strange pegasus.

She was powerless against that look… And now Mint knew it. Delilah got a feeling her new boss was not all she seemed. By the neutral expressions and the subtle movements.

Delilah was chewing her lip as she followed the pair into the event. It was being held at Blue Horseshoe Park. Banners and stands lined the once open path she had walked almost a week prior. Delilah blinked looking around as she fell behind her boss and her boss’s coltfriend. She saw vendors selling shirts with band names or various other music-related slogans. In another section, ponies were selling pastries and other types of snacks before the concert was to start. She felt awkward being around the two as a third wheel. She looked up ahead seeing the two were having a good time. Maybe she should just…

No. No, no she had to stick this out. It would be rude to just up and disappear on them. They had also been the ones to invite her, what friend would abandon her friends after they had already paid to let her in on an exclusive event? What was there for her to do though? She liked music, true, but was her taste in music really something that would fit in here? To be honest she wasn’t sure?

Delilah flattened her ears following the pair to a stand where they were passing out Oatly Burg brand Ale. Star Dust seemed eager and got one for each of them. Delilah opened her mouth to protest only to have the mug shoved in her hoof with a happy smile from Star Dust. He was just happy to include her. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she was a lightweight…

Delilah looked to Mint who was giving her an approving, albeit subtle, smile. The violet-pink aura lifting Mint’s cup then tipped the mug toward Delilah in a silent offer. A signal to start this off. A gesture of fun times ahead. A quick flicker of her eyes and she noted Star Dust was offering the same motion. Offering her a sort of friendship along this trip. Wow...was she really friends with three ponies now? Well...two she was still a bit nervous around Sweet Gold. After the whole Crisp Apple situation she was treading carefully. The pudgy mare gave only a quiet thanks and clinked her glass to Mint’s mug then Star Dust’s.

Drinking the ale was the hard part. It burned on her tongue and tingled the back of her throat.. Her nose crinkled as she swallowed the first sip. As soon as it was down she felt warmth smack her right across her face. But that was for a completely different reason. Standing across the way talking to another pegasus. Was the purple stallion she had seen at the cafe earlier that day. He was smiling slightly as he talked to the couple of stallions that were dressed in band memorabilia.

She was close to fainting just by sight alone, then she noticed that he had paused in his conversation and had an eye on her. Just like at the store though, he let his wings extend as if he were stretching and trying to get comfortable. Once again she blacked out and awoke with Mint standing over her gently patting her cheek.

“Do we need to take you to a hospital?” The chocolate mare asked. Delilah blushed shakily getting to her hooves and rubbing her head. She glanced around not seeing the handsome stallion in she crowd. Was that...just a hallucination?

“No no…” she replied looking at the spilled mug on the ground “I’ll be fine...I’ll just stay away from the drinks”

The chocolate unicorn gave her a subtle look of concern as they went about the concert. The trio found the stage sitting toward the back as it seemed others had gotten there early. Delilah squeezed herself between a unicorn stranger and Star Dust. She smiled a bit as the buff pegasus started to explain the band they were seeing tonight. It was nice he was trying to include her despite only meeting her a few hours ago. Delilah listened to Stardust intently until a purple shape caught her eye. Turning her head she felt her heart stop.

It was Oregano Season. He was flying up to the cloud seating with another pegasus stallion. Her eyes instantly went to his large wings. They moved so beautifully…

No! Nope! Don’t faint! Delilah shook her head patting her chubby cheeks. She blinked looking at the ground a moment wondering if she was going insane. This was the second time she saw him. Was he really here or was she just that lonely? Delilah swallowed daring herself to look in that direction again. Her blue eyes scanned the cloud seating behind them.

Huh. Must be she was just seeing-

Delilah froze as her eyes locked with the emerald green of the purple stallion. Heat washed over her cheeks as her whole body started to tremble. For a moment Delilah couldn’t hear the murmur of the crowd. She couldn’t hear Star Dust’s chatter. She was only focused on the green eyes of Oregano Season.

The stallion had a slight smirk on his face as he looked down at her from his seat. The stallion broke their long stare to look up at the stage. As he did so he stretched his large wings…

Not again…

Fresco

Delilah sighed as she ran the coffee machine for yet another customer. Mint had rushed her to the hospital during the concert they attended three weeks ago. Delilah was so embarrassed as she came to in a hospital bed.

“Here you go” Delilah said giving the earth pony mare before her a polite smile as they finished the transaction. Mint, since the incident, had been hovering over her. In fact Delilah turned her head to see the mare looking over from her place at the barker’s window. Ever since that was put in after the fire, the chocolate unicorn was using it to keep an eye on her.

The bell jingled and she smiled, turning to the door and spouting her welcome. It took Delilah a moment or two to recognize the new customer.

It was the pink earth pony stallion employed by Sweet Gold. She remembered because Sweet Gold made a comment about how they both were the same pale pink in coat. That was at last tuesday’s tea visit if she recalled.

“Oh Good Mor-” Delilah’s greeting was muffled as Mint’s hoof materialized over it.

“Good Morning Fresco”, Mint’s monotone greeted the stallion “Vanilla will be down shortly to take your order” The pink stallion with the pale blue mane nodded taking a seat at a particular table so he could look out the window to the street. It was at this time Delilah freed her muzzle.

“May I ask what that was for?” the freckled pony asked rubbing her muzzle.

“Fresco only lets Vanilla take his order” Mint stated simply her muzzle boasting a subtle smile “He comes in every day off so he can see her” The small town pony tipped her head as the gears in her head turned.

“He likes her?”

“Oh my Dear” mint sighed almost in a silly tone “He’s head over hooves for her...Sadly Vanilla doesn't seem to notice”

“What do you mean?”

“Just watch” Mint Turned her head as her sister came down stairs from her break “Your regular is here again Vanilla, he just sat down”

“Oh it’s Darling Fresco isn’t it?” Vanilla seemed genuinely happy that the stallion was here. She donned an apron, levitated a quil and notebook to her, then set off with an elegant tort to the pink stallion.

Delilah watched as she had been instructed.

Fresco turned his head to see the beautiful mare making her way over. He seemed to go into a trance for a few seconds. That love filled stare reminded Delilah of herself long ago…

Shaking her head, Delilah pushed her memories back to watch the scene. The cotton candy stallion tried to be smooth. As an earth pony herself she noted his change in body language. He moved his shoulders showing off his build. Granted even for an earth pony he was rather thin but, he was trying to make himself look appealing.

Vanilla Frappe….did not seem to respond. She smiled politely and was generally professional, soon she was on her way back so she could tell Mint his order. Fresco, watching the pretty unicorn turn to leave, got a dejected look on his face. Heaving a heavy sigh, he looked out the window. Delilah looked toward Mint, who gave her a vaguely sad nod disguised as a nod to what Vanilla had said. As the white unicorn went to the back to start baking, Mint sighed.

“Poor guy comes here every chance he gets but, Vanilla is too blinded by her dreams to see him” the chocolate unicorn murmured as Delilah came up beside her to clean out the machine.

“I can sympathize” Delilah sighed thinking back to the most recent run in with Oregano. The stallion didn’t seem to notice her at all. It made her think she was going a bit crazy. She couldn’t think of a reason for him to pull something like at the concert and not even notice her when they passed on the street. She sighed feeling like she was rushing things too much. Was she really that desperate for someone? Maybe she should go see someone about this.

Coming out of her thoughts, Delilah noticed Mint perked her ears looking to the pink pony with her vaguely curious stare. Delilah’s body tensed and her face heated up. She had been around her boss long enough to know that look. She was getting better at reading her.

“Who is it?”

“Who’s who?” Delilah felt sweat form on the back of her neck. Her hooves were struggling to stay steady. But Mint’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Who is the colt you want to see?” she prodded, making Delilah duck her head uncomfortably and put her hoof to her muzzle. She was desperate for Mint to be quieter about it.

“I don’t really…” Delilah tried to argue with the taller mare.

The look intensified.

Delilah sighed playing with a stray curly bang.

“....Oregano Season…” the pudgy pink pony admitted. Feeling a weight sort of lift from her. She slowly turned her head to look Mint in the eye...only to see emotions Mint had not shown before...unease and worry.

“Delilah, Sweetheart” Mint began seeming unsure what to say “It’s a good thing you told me now...”

The pink pony blinked confused, her heart suddenly cracking. What did she mean? The clock on the wall behind them chimed loudly as Delilah opened her mouth to ask.

“I will see you next week, Delilah

Oregano Season

Delilah didn’t get much sleep that night. Her head tossed and turned with questions. What did Mint mean by it was a good thing she told her now? Mint was dating Star Dust so her liking Oregano didn’t quite add up. She seemed genuinely happy with the buff pegasus. The pale pink pony stared at the old worn roof of her bedroom.

She still had a ways to go before she could remodel the place. Most of her paycheck went to Crisp Apple’s rent and security deposit. She rolled her head looking at the calendar on the wall beside her bed. Fall was already here. Seemed like yesterday it was summer and she was drinking tea with Sweet Gold. She sighed wondering how she was going to insulate this place before winter set in. She also wondered if Gold was still miffed at her for ogling her husband.

Delilah shook her head thinking back to her father. Maybe...Maybe it was about time to ask for help? The stubborn earth pony in her wanted to say no. But it was still an option...one she felt she might have to face when she bucked up. With a soft, depressed sigh, Delilah rolled over trying to ignore the impending frigid future. Maybe a shower would make her feel better. She might figure out what Mint was talking about too.

The pudgy mare rolled her tired body out of the warm covers to the worn creaking floor. It protested as she continued to stumble over to the bathroom.

When she turned on the light, she was greeted by the only thing in the house that was new. A tall rainfall themed shower tucked in the right corner of where the tub used to be. A strong textured glass stood a little more than half the walls. Masking anything inside about to her chest if she stood on her hind legs. The rest of the outward walls were clear and the two inward ones were shades of sea blue. It had a flat shower head with a decorative pipe attached looking like a stream of water.

“Thank you, Mint” she sighed remembering the pony herself who had paid and helped install the new shower. Mint had sort of taken Delilah on as a little sister. The Delilah wasn’t sure if the twins were much older than her.

Vanilla never looked anything other than fabulous and photo-ready.

Delilah blinked as she turned on the water. She had a few minutes before the water heater decided she had enough. But she sort of went through the motions while lingering on Vanilla’s name. What if…

Delilah clasped a hoof over her muzzle. No. Could they? It would explain Mint’s reaction to her confession. But…

Delilah felt her shoulders sag as she came to her conclusion. Vanilla and Oregano must be the explanation. Though she had not seen the two do... couple like things. They had been having lunch meetings a lot recently. Delilah slicked back her wild curly hair.

Of course.

Here she was being a needy mare and he was already a taken stallion. She really should think about a therapist. Pretty sure this isn’t quite normal.

The sudden jolt of ice on her back made the mare squeal. Stumbling wildly to turn off the water. Time was up.

Delilah later checked her kitchen only to find her unhealthy foods were long gone. Guess she forgot to go to the store. She looked down at her pudgy frame with a whine of frustration. How could she ever get thin if all she bought was trash to fill her body? But the stovetop glared at her with it’s broke and slightly rusted knobs. She knew she was out of her league.

After brushing her hair and donning her favorite sun hat, the pale freckled pony set off to the store to get more food. If that is what she could call it. If the new baker’s window was any proof...Delilah could not cook an edible meal to save her life. So she survived off of pre-made meals.

Cupcakes. Cereal. Other sugar and non-healthy foods that keep a little while.

No wonder she gained so much.

The pudgy pink pony groaned to herself and she looked at the flabby round form of her stomach. Poking her soft pliable freckled cheeks as she turned to look at the hallway mirror. She wasn’t an alabaster-white unicorn with salon-perfect hair and a body of a model. It was a cold hard pill to swallow…

Looking back at her cupboards, Delilah turned to her coat rack which held her saddlebag. Money on one side and a scarf to cover her slowly untamable hair. Maybe she should have been concerned when she walked outside and didn’t quite feel the chill in the air. A sign fall was on its way in quickly. She was too busy feeling...just down.

The trip to the store was quiet. Well as quiet as a city day could get. Most ponies seemed to be heading to Season’s Greetings as per usual. It was never empty. Always a big line going around the corner.

Her sides shivered as she seemed to realize it was colder out than normal. Great. Just bucking great. Frustration and disappointment building in her chest as she pushed open the store’s door. The bell jingled loudly startling Delilah back into reality. The cashier seemed to look at her in confusion. She suddenly forgot about how cold it was outside...because her face was now lit up with a thousand fires.

Covering her muzzle with a hoof, she looked away and started to browse the aisles. She spotted a small bakery section next to where they kept the lettuce. One earth pony was spraying the veggies with water to help them keep a bit longer. She turned half in the aisleway looking over some pretty pink cupcakes. Strawberry. She thought she would feel a bit happier finding her favorite flavor. But there was nothing as she picked up the package to inspect it. It took a moment to remember she needed a basket. She pushed air out of her lungs backing up to get said item.

“Oof!” Delilah sucked air so quickly back in her lungs she squeaked. Her rump bumped right into someone browsing the lettuce. Anger, unknown where it came from, bubbled up in her chest as she turned about to speak harshly to the pony she ran into. She was ready to unleash her anger on anyone right now. But her mouth lay half-open, frozen as her eyes came to see who it was she ran into.

Purple coat and blonde mane. His green eyes turned sharply toward her looking just as startled. Or maybe she imagined it. A smile formed on his face too quickly for her to know for sure. Oregano Season. They were close. The aisle made it so she had to look up at the taller stallion. He looked to be slightly taller than Vanilla and Mint. Did he have unicorn in his blood? Her mind wandered with her eyes unfocused on him.

Oh dear Celestia and Luna combined…he’s gorgeous…

Her mind went blank and she felt completely stupid as she stood there admiring every inch of him.

“Uh...Miss?” Oregano’s voice broke her dream, making her blink rapidly and hold her head startled.

“H-Huh?” She felt like an idiot the moment it came out of her mouth. Internally she screamed at herself.

You couldn’t come up with something a bit more intelligent, Doofus?

Oregano looked at her a bit confused but, perhaps passed it off as shock from the whole situation. “I accidentally bumped into you…then you dropped your…uh..strawberry cupcakes? I’m so sorry about that” Delilah couldn’t help but feel heat rush to her cheeks as she let his voice flow over her. Oh dear Celestia help her! Why couldn’t she be normal?

Wait.

She blinked looking at where the cupcakes were supposed to be in her hoof. Horror struck her face as she realized she had indeed dropped them. She turned sharply looking at the pink frosted treats slathered over the ground. Tears pricked the back on her eyes feeling a sudden wave of loss. Her favorite. She pulled her scarf a bit harder over her head so Oregano wouldn’t see her upset. It seemed silly...but she was actually looking forward to cupcakes.

“U-Uh yes…Th-That’s okay I’m kind of a big target anyway”

Oh my Celestia, did you just call yourself fat in front of him?

You are such an idiot!

Delilah swallowed thickly her voice wavering as she apologized to the worker who trotted over. She felt like she just wanted to disappear.

“Oh no trouble, Miss” the old Earth Pony replied putting a sign over her mess “Let’s get you some new cupcakes” A little smile appeared as her muzzle stuck back out of her scarf. She turned, opening her mouth to say goodbye to Oregano only to stop again. Oregano seemed to be looking at her in thought. As if he noticed something and was trying to figure out how he felt about it.

“S-Sir?” she asked not sure if it was right to call him by his name. After all he never really introduced himself to her. Every time he may have, she fainted. The stallion came out of his thoughts turning his expression back into a smile.

“Oh sorry, You just have a pretty smile” Delilah felt her face heat up again and this time she was getting dizzy. She covered her muzzle shyly once more. She took a step forward to follow the worker, hoping for new cupcakes.

“Wait” Oregano stopped her with a mere words and she turned her head toward him “I’m Oregano, Oregano Season...The owner of Season’s Greetings” Delilah tipped her head still holding her scarf over her muzzle.

“Delilah, Delilah May” she shyly nodded a goodbye turning and about to follow the worker.

“You realize you can make those for cheaper than what they charge you” she blinked looking back at the stallion. She felt her face get warm again. This time of embarrassment.

“I...I can’t cook...Baking or otherwise”

“Oh really? You work at a bakery and cafe yet you can’t cook?” She felt her body jerk as she met his gaze. So he did remember her. She felt her face get worse...like she was rubbing it against the sun. She looked away trying to figure out what to say in return.

“Well, it has been busy at my restaurant...But I could offer lessons” She almost choked on air looking up at his green eyes in alarm. Did she hear him right? She blinked her ears going back and showing her confusion and unease.

“Oh uh...I wouldn’t want to be any trouble...you hardly know me” she replied nervously

“It’s no trouble! It’s not healthy to just eat store made food” he smiled genuinely at her and she thought her heart was about to die. She hesitated not knowing how to take this.

“...Um well...sure I suppose it couldn’t hurt” Flat out lie...she was going to burn her house down.

“Wonderful! I think I have some time open Friday afternoon…”

“Oh...Okay,” she was internally freaking out. She could see her house in smoldering ruin. She hadn’t even fixed much of the house up due to the down payment! She didn’t even know if she could get everything ready by Friday...wasn’t that...the day after tomorrow? Delilah swallowed as she recited her address to the stallion who wrote it down on his list.

“I will see you then” he replied smiling before he turned and exited the aisle. Leaving a poor frazzled and confused Delilah behind….

Author's Note

Bit of a longer chapter Enjoy!