A Midnight Mare's Tale

You know, I really only look forward to one thing these days. Breakfast. Sweet delicious yummy breakfast. If I get to Hayseed Diner early enough there aren't really any ponies there which is always a plus. And I gotta say, I was really looking forward to it today too. Penne Al Dente had a special running on biscuits with hay-gravy, my favorite. I almost made it too.

My alarm clock rang and I desperately bashed it for the snooze button, just five more minutes. No pony ever gets up this early anyways it's not like it would be packed I could sleep a little more. It was still dark after all. Is it weird being the only thestral I've heard of to sleep during the night? Yeah, but I have a daytime job so I have to. I yawned loudly, stretching out as far as I could get my hooves to stretch, enjoying the sweet sounds of the birds outside. The birds.......that are awake?

My eyes slammed open as I leaped out of bed. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck please don't let them be out of biscuits no no no no" I muttered to myself, rooting around my laundry pile on the floor trying to find a passable uniform. "Hmmmm this ought to be fine" I murmured, stuffing the uniform into my saddlebags before sliding them on and dashing out the door. Sweet Celestia please don't let me be late. Penne had been talking about this for a month and nothing sounded as good as that damn plate of biscuits and gravy.

Galloping through the town I rounded the corner, diving over Applejacks stall while the country mare shouted at me. She'd be fine, biscuits were more important.

Finally, after dipping and diving around the market ponies I could see it. My heart dropped into my flank as I saw nearly every seat full. But hope still carried my hooves towards. My eyes focused on a group of colts playing ponies and zebras, I didn't notice the sound of a mare thanking Penne for the food. I kept running until it was too late, desperately stumbling trying to stop myself as I slammed into the door.

Only I didn't hit the door, I hit the poor mare who had just opened the door, a large tray of food in her mouth that quickly ended up being all over me as we tumbled into the diner with a clang. Gravy covered my head, dripping into my eyes as I lay there stunned, a twang in my back right leg. I could hear the murmuring, the whispered gossip about the evil bat mare. I knew they were staring. I desperately tried to blink the gravy out of my eyes when I heard a soft and kind voice speak out. "Wow that looked like it hurt, lemme get that for ya". Suddenly a cloth was pressed against my face, wiping around my eyes and muzzle as the surprisingly soft fabric absorbed the gravy. Once it was all gone I struggled to my hooves, looking at the gravy on the floor as I winced, my leg definitely being sprained. Suddenly a pair of beige hooves entered my vision. Slowly I looked up, laying eyes on my cloth bearing clean up mare. Wow. She was stunning. Gorgeous beige coat complemented by a beautiful short cut blue mane. She wore a brown coat and a red ribbon wrapped around her back left leg. Suddenly, she held her hoof out to me and spoke with a smile "Hayo! I'm Cinnamon Quill, but you can call me Cinni! After all, all my other friends do!"

I'm not proud of what I did next. Blurting out a quick "Sorryforyourfoodhere'ssomebits!" I ran. I ran and ran until I was sure no one had followed me. My injured leg burned as I finally slowed to a walk. I don't know what she was doing, but no one here wanted to be my friend. The townsponies always stared at me. Because I was different. Hell, those old crones that hung around Mr. Oolongs' tea shop would probably say I "Enchanted her to help with me evil bat mare magic". They always had something rude to say, even though I had never said a word to them. But I'm a thestral so that makes me the evil evil bat mare right?

I signed in relief as I saw the entrance to the mine come into view. It was a hard job but I loved it, I could find gems quicker then any unicorn could even though I had no magic. Even Rarity, though she'd never admit it. Or acknowledge my existence.

Either way, I was happy to be here to work off the embarrassment of earlier. Descending into the mine I passed by my coworkers. Being the only non unicorn definitely had me feeling out of place, but my efficiency at least earned me some sort of respect from them. I was excited to work today since we had a new tunnel opening. I had a good feeling about this one. Maybe it would have the Dream Opal.

Legend has it, that when Discord was formed, a stone was formed as well that would allow the wielder to have a wish if they were pure of heart and good. Stories is all it is, but it makes for a fun conversation.

Passing through into the new tunnel I started my way towards the end. I learned early on that starting from the end and working your way back had the best yield. Taking my pick out of my bag and into my mouth I went to work. Each gem I found was tossed into the cart next to me. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, amethysts, even lesser gems like quartz and garnet. All went into the bin to be sorted later. I was making a good fast pace when I heard footsteps approaching. Knowing the forepony said he wanted to talk to me today, I just gave him a short "Hey boss". He didn't speak for a moment. But when he did I felt a chill run down my spine. Because he didn't speak. She did

"Hayo! Why'd ya run off earlier?"