“Hoo'wee!” Apple Bloom exasperates as she rushes into the Cutie Mark clubhouse. “That sure was a doozy of an afternoon. We got four activities done in one afternoon, girls!” she cheers.

“Yeah. Too bad Pickle Barrel added six more to his Crusader chart during this afternoon,” Scootaloo laments as she came in and joined Apple Bloom in the clubhouse.

“It's all part of the process, girls,” I say as I join my Cutie Mark sisters. When I do, I magic the door shut behind me then float my saddlebag over and hang it on a saddlebag hanger. “Sometimes one can't think of all of their interests all at once. It takes doing other activities to inspire somepony to think of something else. Remember how it used to be for us?”

“Hoo'wee! Ah sure do,” Apple Bloom assures as she moves behind a podium then turns to face the rest of us. From there, she drapes her forelegs over the podium which has the CMC logo in front of it. “An' Ah also remember what it was like to venture forward while that uncertainty always hung over our heads. Our clients are discovering their destiny much faster thanks to our support. We had to figure it out from scratch.”

“Speaking of which,” Scootaloo looks from Apple Bloom to me, “I'm getting pretty tired but I still got some energy left in me. What's next for us to do?”

“Well, let's see.” I look at my saddlebag and float my notes to me from it. I read it first before announcing, “Um . . . we've got one more client to deal with for today and, don't worry, this one will be easy. All we have to do is interview this new client.” I lower my notebook and gaze at my club sisters over it. “So no more galloping around. We got a break from that for the rest of the evening.”

“Whew! That's a relief,” Scootaloo says gratefully. “And, say . . . wasn't it a donkey? You did say that earlier, right?”

“Uh . . . yeah. His name is Slow Poke,” I remind.

“Well,” Scootaloo says with a shrug as she transfers her look from me to Apple Bloom, “I guess a cutie mark specifically is out. I have to say, we don't get too many non-pony clients.”

“Gabby was our first,” Apple Bloom reminds. “That was quite a challenge because she really was after a cutie mark.”

“Yeah, but we learned a lot from that adventure,” Scootaloo says as she slowly looks down. “Just because we can't give them a real cutie mark, doesn't mean we can't help them with their life's purpose.” She whips her head at me as she suddenly asks, “How old is Slow Poke anyway?”

“You're about to find out,” I answer her. “He's due to arrive at any moment now.

“Um, by the way,” I add, “after this interview, I need to take off for a bit. Actually, the rest of the evening. I'm, ah . . . ‘interviewing’ some other pony at the McMilkshake store.”

Apple Bloom grew a mischievous grin as she says, “Interview, huh? Is that what other foals are calling it these days? Last Ah checked, an 'interview' with a colt-friend at a place like that is called a 'date'.”

My shy blush must have betrayed my feelings even though I attempt to hide behind my notepad.

“Oh my gosh, it's true!” Scootaloo realizes. Now she gains the same mischievous grin. “Some pony has a very special somepony!”

Then Apple Bloom and Scootaloo tease me simultaneously by saying in unison, “Sweetie Belle has a crush! Sweetie Belle has a crush!”

“Oh, wait a second!” Scootaloo appears to realize something. “It's Button Mash, isn't it? I've seen the way you two look at each other in school, especially during recess. You've been over to his house a few times too, I think.”

“Well . . . yeah,” I admit shyly. “He's cute and I'm really curious how far this relationship could go.”

“Ya really like him that much, Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom asks with a curious tilt of her head.

“Well, that and the mere idea of being in a relationship,” I answer as I float my notebook back into my saddlebag. “To me, it's one step closer to maturity.”

“Now Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom says in the kind of lecture tone that often annoys her when her own big sister does it to her, “ya do know that a real relationship ain't lah'k the stories from your fairy-tail books, don't'cha? Ah seen the way ma big brother and Sugar Belle dated each other. Ah swear, probably more than half the stuff that they did has gone way over ma head, but one thing Ah do know is it ain't lah'k the stories.”

“Oh, I know,” I assure, “but it's a start. Those fairytales are very inspiring to me. I like the romance of it all.”

“Ah juz want to make sure ya know what ya're in for,” Apple Bloom cautions. “Colts live in very different worlds. They are likely to surprise ya, an' Ah don't want to see ya get hurt because yo expectations are either too high or too different.”

Scootaloo shrugs then jokes, “Hey, if worse comes to worst, we can always make you a love potion.”

“Ew! No!” Apple Bloom fiercely rejects.

“No thank you,” I also reject, “although, I must admit, I have been curious to know what that is like over the years.”

“Really?!” Scootaloo asks me in sharp surprise.

“Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee seemed really happy during the effects of the potion,” I put in. “I admit their attitude during it was icky and schmaltzy, but from an emotional context, I've always wondered what it must have felt like. Even if a feeling is artificial, do you think being stuck in happiness is really such a bad thing?”

“Is it real happiness?” Apple Bloom wonders as she looks cornerwise up. “Both Miss Cheerilee and ma big brother seem upset at us whenever they get the reminder of the experience. Does that mean they were actually unhappy during the experience and they just couldn't express it?”

“The fact you have to ask means part of you is curious too,” I point out, “because neither of us knows for sure.”

“We could ask them,” Scootaloo proposes with a shrug. “What it's like, I mean. That would be much safer rather than making another love potion.”

“Regardless of that,” Apple Bloom says with a tone of insistence as she pounds the podium with a hoof once, “Ah don't plan on ev'ah making another love poison! That kind of power is just too dangerous.”

“I wasn't planning on drinking such a thing either,” I tell my friends. “For now, I plan on falling in love the old fashioned way and see if I can-”

I am interrupted by a knock on the door.

“That should be 'im,” Apple Bloom figures. “The new client.”

I glance at a clock at the corner of our clubhouse which is shaped like an apple. The frame is made of real applewood, too. After I note the time, I agree, “Yep. That should be him.”

“Well,” Scootaloo waves at me. “Open it. You're the closest anyway, and besides, you got your horn.”

“Sure. No problem,” I gladly accept as I turned to look at the front entrance then use my magic to open the door.

Sure enough, a middle-aged gray donkey with sagging cheeks lingers beyond the front entrance.

“Permission to come in?” our new client, Slow Poke, requests politely but also with a slow inflection.

“Sure! Come on in,” we gladly invite simultaneously.

“Thank you,” Slow Poke accepts and trudges on in. As he does so, we note the slow pace he uses along his way in, but none of us are rude enough to point that out yet.

“Welcome, Slow Poke, to the headquarters of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Apple Bloom announces cheerfully. “C-M-C for short.”

“Thank you for seeing me,” Slow Poke announces slowly.

“So Slow Poke . . . how old are you?” Scootaloo asks curiously.

Unexpectedly, Slow Poke shrugs before answering, “I don't know, but late into the second decade.”

“Hmm.” Scootaloo has a thoughtful look on her face for a moment before asking, “What kind of work did you do before coming to us, Mister Slow Poke?”

“I worked as a plum farmer in Mustangia,” Slow Poke answers.

“Oh really?!” Apple Bloom asks with bright interest. “What a coincidence! Ma family an' Ah work as apple farmers here in Ponyville.”

“You do?” Slow Poke asks while narrowing one eye at Apple Bloom. “But . . . I thought this was your job?”

“Ah can do both,” Apple Bloom answers. “Ah 'elp out on the farm every once in a while. Ah'm also a student here in Ponyville.”

“Wow! You do a lot!” Slow Poke slowly says as he also blinks slowly.

“So how much do you enjoy being a plum farmer?” Scootaloo checks.

Slow Poke shrugs as he says, “It pays the bills.

“Actually, to be honest, it's a pretty good life because it is safe and stable. It is hard work, but it's very routine, and I like routines. I like the feeling of accomplishing something and I like the feeling like I'm far from danger. The work I do can be truly permanent. I can do this for the rest of my life. It's cozy. It's secure. There's hardly anything to complain about.”

The three of us glance at each other in confusion then look back at Slow Poke in unison. Between us, I'm the first to ask, “So . . . why did you come to us, the C-M-C's? Usually those who come to us feel lost in some way, like they don't know what they are supposed to do for a living.”

Slow Poke looks down with a long, slow sigh, then says, “I'm not entirely sure myself, but there's been an anxious feeling that has built within me over the years. A feeling that keeps me wondering if I should be doing more with my life. The life I've had so far is safe and comfortable. I don't have to question if I can keep on doing it, because I most certainly can.

“But . . . is it enough? Is my potential deeper? Does it even need to be?”

He lifts his gaze back up and looks across the three of us as he says, “Years ago, when I first heard rumors of an organization like you three have, a deep part of me thought, 'You know, that sounds like a good idea! I should go see these Cutie Mark Crusaders so they can help me determine if there's something more I should do with my life.' But I didn't do it. I looked across my life, determined there was no critical reason to change anything, so I shrugged it off at the time.

“But I noticed, as the years went by, I kept asking myself these questions almost daily.Is this enough, or should I be doing more? Am I worth more?

“It's painful to me to consider the fact I might have latent, untapped potential. It's even worse to wonder if I even have untapped potential at all. If the answer is no, why do I keep asking myself these questions? Do I wish that I do? Is it a sign that I'm secretly unhappy with my life?

“You three are the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Your exploits in helping others find their true purpose in life are legendary. I came to you three because I'm tired of wondering. I'm tired of suffering from an unending question. It's time I finally got some straight answers.”

The three of us look at each other with a knowing grin. Clients come to us all the time and they often tell us a similar story. In response, there is a rhetoric we have to repeat to each one over and over again, but despite that, our excitement lingers because we remember the thrill of the journey towards self-discovery the first time.

After looking back and forth among each other, Scootaloo gives a questioning tilt of her head as if to silently ask, “Is it my turn to explain?”

Apple Bloom and I smile at her then give her an accepting nod. Scootaloo nods back once to show that she acknowledges our mutual decision before addressing our newest client.

“Mister Slow Poke, while it is true that we do have a knack for helping others find their true destiny, you need to understand that there is a process to this.” She applies a hoof to her chest as she expresses, “We merely help to guide others on their journey, but no pony . . . not even us, can determine what your destiny is for you. Instead, we can help you discover it for yourself.”

“Okay, so . . . how do we do that?” Slow Poke wonders.

“Well, first of all, before we can help you, we need to get to know each other, hence these interviews,” Scootaloo explains. “Sometimes the answer is simple and we can help you in a few minutes. Other times it is a long and involved process. If it gets to that, we typically proceed forward with a good old fashion Crusader's chart.”

Slow Poke winces in confusion as he asks, “What's that? Some kind of treasure map?”

“In a way,” I explain which causes him to turn his head and focus on me. “The 'map' is a map of your life, Mister Slow Poke, and the buried treasure is the answer to your question.”

“But, basically,” Apple Bloom puts in which draws his attention towards the yellow hide earth pony, “it is a chart listing all the activities ya'd like to try. As ya proceed through the list, we steadily cross out each activity that ya've tried an’ didn’t find satisfying fer some reason.”

“So it's a trial and error process,” Slow Poke figures.

“Exactly!” the three of us cheer simultaneously.

“How do you three keep doing that?” Slow Poke wonders, perplexed. “That's the second time you did that since I got here. Do you three have some kind of hive-mind going?”

“Ah . . . no. We're just very, very good friends that think alike in many regards,” Scootaloo answers. “Sometimes we're really in sync with each other and that's awesome!”

“Huh.” Slow Pokes droopy ears seem to droop further. “Must be nice to have such close friends.”

“It certainly is!” Apple Bloom cheers at first, but then asks more somberly, “Ah take it that you don't have anyone too special in your life?”

“Not as close as you three, no,” Slow Poke confirms. “At least, I don't think so.”

“Anyone you're interested in?” I ask with interest.

“A few perhaps,” he answers with a nonchalant shrug.

“Well, regardless if you find your destiny or not, Mister Slow Poke, it's still great to share your life with close friends,” Scootaloo assures. “Take it from us. We are very happy and proud of our relationship together.”

“Yeah. That sounds nice,” Slow Poke admits with happiness for us mixed with envy. Deciding to change the subject, he asks us, “So . . . do you three think you can help me?”

“You said you lived in Mustangia?” Apple Bloom double checks.

“Yes Ma'am,” Slow Poke confirms politely.

“That's quite the distance, Mister,” Apple Bloom says with a thoughtful expression, then focuses on their new client again as she asks him, “How long can ya stay in Ponyville?”

“Eh,” he shrugs. “I have no fixed plans yet.”

“Do ya have a place to stay during yer stay in Ponyville?” Apple Bloom continues to probe.

“The inn, I think,” Slow Poke figures. “Not sure if you have one, but if you do, I got a few bits to my name.”

“Which will help ya until ya run out of bits,” Apple Bloom figures. “Ah tell ya what. Why don't ya stay at our place? We can use another experienced farmer on the field.”

“Oh!” Slow Poke looks very surprised followed by bashful. “Well I, ah . . . don't wish to impose.”

“Think nothing of it!” Apple Bloom says cheerfully. “Ah tell ya what. Ya come stay at our place. We'll even provide the most delicious meals ya ever tasted, and ya can even keep yer bits. But, in exchange, ya help out on the apple farm. We teach ya our techniques. Maybe ya can show us a few of yers. Ya repay the room and board with labor. Then, because ye're still around, ya'll remain accessible to the three of us so we can help ya with answering yer question. How does that sound to ya?”

“Eh . . . I guess that could work if it's not too much trouble for the rest of your family,” Slow Poke figures cautiously.

“We, of the Apple family, sure do love making new fray'ends,” she assures brightly. “And, with yer previous farming experience, Ah'm sure we can help each other out.”

“I suppose that could work,” Slow Poke says with a shrug. “But I still feel like I'm imposing a little. Should I repay your kindness by helping you three with your work?”

The three of us blink in surprise at that proposal, for we don't get it very often. In fact, this might be the first time that offer came up directly.

We glance at each other in a moment of silent debate. We notice that, while the offer is unexpected, it might ultimately serve us with our primary mission with this client.

“If ya want to,” Apple Bloom offers to Slow Poke. “We can even add it to yer chart. Helping others with their destiny might even be yer destiny. We won't know till ya try it.”

“And it can be a lot of fun!” Scootaloo cheers then adds with a shrug, “At least, it is for us.”

“If you do develop a taste for this kind of work,” I bring up, “that provides us with a lot of important opportunities regarding our mutual future. After all, we have plans for our future that we're secretly afraid that we can't meet the demand. For instance, right now, our primary base is in Ponyville and, for the most part, we only help out clients in the local area.”

“But we were thinking of expanding our business someday,” Scootaloo resumes my point. “If and when we do, we definitely could use some help.”

“But only if ya are really up for it,” Apple Bloom quickly and firmly assures. “We don't wanna push anything on ya or nutt'in. We'll accept this only if ya are certain this is yer true calling.”

“You know, it seems to me you could do both,” I propose which draws Slow Poke's attention back to me. “Earlier you said that you like farm work because it is routine, safe, and comfortable, yet part of you wonders if you can do more. Well, why not both?” I ask with a shrug. “There's no rule that says that if you explore a new path you have to abandon the old one. Sometimes both can be pursued at the same time.”

“You really think I should?” Slow Poke checks.

“It's just a suggestion,” I quickly put in. “Take it as such. I only say this because you sound happy with your previous lifestyle for the most part. I think that is also why you hesitated for so long to come to us for help. You must have thought that exploring a new path means abandoning the old one by necessity. Well, I'm telling you now that is not necessarily true. You might be able to do both depending on what it is.”

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom agrees. “Just like me! Ah help out on the farm on occasion but Ah'm also a student and, on top of that, Ah do this work with ma fray'ends. It's tricky but there's room in one's life to juggle between various things.”

“That way you won't feel like you have to give up anything that's important to you,” Scootaloo adds. “If that is the source of your hesitation then we're telling you now that you don't have to take that big of a risk if you don't want to. You can expand on your potential and keep close to what was previously valuable to you at the same time!”

Slow Poke slowly looks at each of us one by one, ending on me. After that, he slowly grows a smile.

“You know, I must say, you three really do have a knack for this,” he says proudly. “I was nervous coming to you three at first and part of me even felt humiliated in approaching young fillies in particular. However, even after this short of an interview, I already feel better and more self-assured about my future. With your help, I'm sure we can find what's missing in my life.”

“Don't'cha worry about our age,” Apple Bloom assures Slow Poke. “We helped plenty of clients before. Just look at our wall of satisfied customers.” She gestures behind her at the wall of pictures. “Every one of them would gladly vouch for us and the work we've done for them. Ask them if ya don't believe us. We may be fillies, but we have hearts as strong as horses.”

A mischievous smile returns to Scootaloo's lips as she looks at me and proposes, “Sometimes it's not a something that is missing in our lives, but rather a someone.”

“You really think so?” Slow Poke asks her curiously.

“It can be,” Apple Bloom answers more seriously. “Fray'ends can be a very fulfilling aspect to one's life.” Now she flashes me a mischievous smile. “Especially if they also 'appen to be romantic partners.”

“Oh! You got a date?” Slow Poke checks with me, finally starting to catch on.

“That's it! I'm outta here!” I suddenly proclaim as I rise to my forehooves in frustration. “You all have teased me about this long enough.”

But when I notice Slow Poke's more innocent expression towards me, I decide to add to him, “My Crusader sisters do have a point. Sometimes when one is feeling like something is missing in our lives, it can be a person rather than a specific thing. Exploring romantic, or even just friendship interests, might be enough to feel fulfilled.” I regard Apple Bloom seriously. “Put that on the chart for Mister Slow Poke.”

“Ya got it,” Apple Bloom agrees. Shortly later she pulls out a sheet of paper and applies it on top of the podium using her mouth. After that, she pulls out some crayons, again with her mouth, then proceeds to draw on the paper.

“Don't you worry, Mister Slow Poke,” I assure him. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders are on the case, and there is nothing we can't hoofle together. We'll help you out. Count on it!”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo and I say together. After that, Apple Bloom spits out her crayon and echoes, “Yeah!” by herself.

Author's Note

Another moment of the "day of the life" for Sweetie, but this time focusing on a more specific aspect of her day. This is her following her passion and her work with her friends. In this case, the introduction of a new client shows how they treat their cases from the very start. It's meant to give a specific example of their work, but since I posted an entire chapter focusing on this new OC character, I have plans to re-introduce him back into the story at least once for the purpose of advancing the main plot. Stay tuned for that.