HeatStroke

(Feathers Perspective)

Attempting to ignore the fact she labeled us as friends already I followed her lead directly into the store. Hit immediately with a wave of cool air I nearly succumbed to the sensation. Air conditioning. Quite possibly the greatest invention ever.

“Like the smell huh? It’s really unique. Spring said it’s from a type of wood imported from Griffonstone. He thinks it’s weird I like the smell but, when you’re surrounded by farmland most your dang life I’d think it’s normal”

Not wanting to give away my condition or any other of my weird traits I went along with it.

“Err I’d say it’s pretty normal. Kinda reminds me of my grandparents though. I don’t know if that’s a good thing”

“You calling my sniff palate old?”

“Your sniff palate?”

“My appreciation for smells! Don’t bully my lingo”

Not really one for banter I instead spun around looking for the owner. Rather empty the register sat unoccupied and the store still. Only a feint music playing throughout to interrupt the silence. That and Sweeties continuous talking.

“-where he’s at? SPRING, WHERE YA AT!? YOU GOT A CUSTOMER!”

Wow she was loud!

Instinctively I scowled behind her but, it quickly faded as a ruckus near the stores back caught our attention.

“Coming!”

Definitely a stallion yet sounded more feminine then I expected. With a rush the pony in question had arrived panting slightly from the run. With green across his entire coat and mane, the white and grey highlights streaming through his hair stuck out that much more. Loose it dangled slightly in front of his right eye to which he pushed back with a blow of his mouth chuckling.

“Bee! What’s up play girl, how you been?” Taking his attention over to me his eyes scanned a little longer then I would have liked. “And who’s your friend?”

We’re not friends

“Spring this is… uh actually heheh I don’t know your name. You didn’t tell me your name right? Please tell me I didn’t forget”

“It’s Soft Feather, nice to meet you”

Jabbing his elbow into Sweetie he whispered loud enough for us all to hear.

“Definitely wouldn’t want to call him soft am I right?”

Sweetie only blushed shaking her head.

“Oookay… now that we’ve gotten our jokes out we’d like to see your finest mattresses!”

“Hm? How come? I thought you said you loved the one I sold you?”

“Not for me doofus! For my friend!”

She really throws that word around willy nilly huh?

“Oh! Well if that’s the case follow me!”

With a pep in his trot he pranced his way across the store showing the way. I meanwhile took the moment to ask a question burning away at the inside of my brain.

“Is he uh…”

“Gay? Surprisingly no, has three fillies with an absolutely beautiful mare and I mean like stunning. You should see her it doesn’t make-“

“Sweetie no! I wanted to ask if he’s trustworthy. Having nice products on top of cheap prices doesn’t exactly scream business savvy”

“Spring? Box Spring? Yeah he’s trustworthy! He’s even closed up my shop for me before when I had to leave early”

“So you know him well?”

“Yeah, known him for a couple years now”

I took a few glances between the two before I gave a shrug, deciding I might as well trust the mare’s word. Besides even if she’s only doing this to help her friend make a sale I’ll at least have a nice bed to sleep on at night unlike the small pony sized one I slept on back in the city.

Coming to a stop Box spun around with a joyful smile.

“Here they are! I have them all separated based on most ponies preferences. From right to left I got foam then latex then spring and if you’re really feeling spicy I even got a couple waterbeds in the back”

I made my way over testing a few of the mattresses with a hoof, not willing to test the cleanliness with my full body. People are yucky and why would I trust he’s cleaned theses display beds off?

“Which ones are the latex again?”

“You want a latex mattress?” Sweetie asked. “Why not get a foam? They’re way more comfortable and they stay really warm in the winter!”

“Everyone has their own preferences Bee”

“Yeah but who wants a stiff latex mattress?”

Not taking much offense I intervened.

“I like a mattress that stays cool”

“See? Latex mattresses sell best with customers that like to stay cool or are hyper allergenic. There’s way more to this then you understand”

Embarrassed from being called out she crossed her hooves facing away from us. In a low voice she muttered to herself.

“I’m always cold when I go to bed, I don’t understand why you’d want to stay that way”

“Anyways, you said latex? Well I got two different kinds, Dunlop and Talalay”

I had done my homework in the past knowing which was the best mattress for staying cool but, anything beyond type I didn’t know existed.

“Uhh what’s the difference?”

“The only difference is the process in which they make them. The Dunlop is more dense then Talalay and honestly is a lot more comfy however, if you’re willing to pay more there are Talalay mattresses here that are about the same in feel”

“Does either of them stay cooler?”

“You’re pretty obsessed about that aren’t you?”

“I already told you I get hot easy. Can’t sleep if I’m sweating to death at night”

“Hm, I wish I was you, I’m always shivering”

“Speaking of shivering, Dunlop is better at retaining body heat so I’d suggest some of the mattresses I got over here. All the ones from this one on”

Waving his hoof it covered around three different types. Of the three one was much taller then the other two and much higher in price. It was likely the best option but, if the difference between the other two was slight enough I’d definitely take the cheaper mattresses. Now to figure out if that’s the case.

“So what’s the difference from these three? Why’s this one so much more expensive?”

“The layer amount” he said while patting its top. “The more layers the more firm”

“Why make it more firm? A preference thing?”

“Most my customers prefer when I add layers”

“Because…?”

“W-well it’s a comfort thing. Makes it feel more supportive”

He wasn’t telling me something.

“Then why don’t the other two options have more layers? Are they cheaper materials?”

“Cheaper m-materials?! I wouldn’t do that! They’re all three made the same, I just keep a variety available just in case”

“Well what would it cost if I asked you to add more layers to that one until it’s the same size?”

Pointing toward the cheapest of the three my question seemed to hit the bullseye.

“Er well… I don’t exactly know right now I mean I’d need to measure out the extra material costs and.. and-“

“If they’re all made of the same materials and the same size why wouldn’t they cost the same?”

“I uh…”

Suddenly Sweetie grabbed my hoof pulling me to the side. From the angry look on her face I could tell she was about to yell at me.

“What are doing? Why are you being so mean?”

“What are you talking about? I making sure I’m getting a good deal”

“By interrogating my friend? I already told you, you can trust him!”

“Then why is he so nervous then huh?”

“Because he has social anxiety Soft. You’re making him uncomfortable”

And just like that I was back at my old job, sitting in my office being scolded by my boss. That same familiar feeling of being out of place. They didn’t understand reality. They were too different, too emotional and at times made it clear how much I didn’t fit in. Maybe I wouldn’t ever.

I sighed lifting the sun hat off my head, letting it’s string rest around my neck.

“I’m sorry. I’ll apologize”

Stuttering, she’s taken aback at my willingness and complete 180 change of attitude.

“G-good! He’s offering a fair deal”

Walking back I quickly paced a hoof to my chest the instant Spring noticed me.

“I feel like I’ve been too aggressive with my questioning. I’m sure your prices are fine just the way they are and I’ll take your word. With that being the case I’ll take the expensive one, consider it my apology”

Shocked Sweetie nearly feinted behind me while Spring’s face lit up with blush. The twos reaction made me go over the words again in my head, unsure really where I crossed a line. Was it me mentioning the prices being fair? Paying attention once more Sweetie held her head as if to keep it from spinning.

“S-S-Soft! I only meant like saying sorry, you didn’t have to do that!”

“P-please Mr. Feather, there’s no need for that, I didn’t take any offense I swear”

“Hm? But that’s the one I want. Shouldn’t it be okay if I’m willing to pay?”

She shook her head placing a hoof on my shoulder to which displeased me greatly yet, I refrained from reaction.

“Yeah but not if your guilted into buying it”

I sorta walked away from her touch appearing to not pay it attention. I wasn’t one for touching specially given ponies body heat. It would be something I’d need to hint to her in the future but not now.

“I’m not being guilted into buying it, I just value a good nights sleep”

Plus I got paid a bag from Canterlot for the job relocation. Consider it the only positive.

“Are y-you sure sir, it is 800 bits”

I shrugged thinking it no big deal.

“Yeah sure, why not”

Bothered still Spring pushed his mane back across his forehead. Nervously he panned around a bit before stomping a hoof confidently.

“Then consider me adding a frame as well for free a token of my trust. Hopefully we can build a nice relationship bargaining with one another in the future”

“Well I didn’t do much bargaining if I’m being honest”

“Then next time feel free to ask all the questions you want and really pressure me”

Sweetie didn’t appear to agree.

“Spring…”

“Oh come on Sweets ya let me off the hook today, the stallion clearly has a talent for barter”

For some reason that tickled me in a weird egotistical type of way. I do have a talent don’t I? Distracted I hadn’t noticed Sweetie talking.

“Soooft? Hellooooo? Should I call you Feather instead? Maybe Mr. Feather?”

“Huh? What?”

“I was saying what should I call you? Do you have a nickname or?”

“Wait weren’t you asking about something before that?”

“Oh I just said don’t actually pressure Spring next time you’re here. He actually has social anxiety, it’ll make him have a panic attack”

“Yeesh… sorry. Didn’t know”

Dismissively she waved a hoof.

“Meh it’s fine but, for real though what should I call you? Like what do you prefer?”

Honestly I didn’t care given my name was literally made up. My real name though I’d definitely prefer Withers but, those days were over so she could call me whatever she wants. Same goes with… wait where’d he go?

“Wait where’s Spring?”

“Hey stay on topic! He went to go pack up your mattress and frame. There’s a cart you can borrow out back I’ll show you but first tell me what you want me to call you!”

“So demanding…”

“Wha- I am not! You’re just so dismissive!”

I chuckled, she had me there.

“Call me whatever you want. Long as it’s not embarrassing though… like Softy”

“Someone calls you that?”

My boss.

“Guess we oughta meet Spring outside, still haven’t paid yet”

“Wait who calls you that? Feather.. Feather!”

Outside I spotted Spring immediately struggling with the large mattress. He was buried under its weight trying his best with his long skinny legs to lift it onto the cart. I hurried over to help making light work of the mattress. Checking the cart he’d already added the frame below.

“Hey I never paid you yet, it was 800 bits right?”

Swiping the sweat from his brow he nodded.

“Yeah, you can pay it in installments if you’d like. I usually do 50 bits a month-“

“Can I pay it all now?”

“P-p-pay it all now?!”

Again he was flabbergasted. Confused I nodded.

“Y-yeah… I got the bits already so…”

“That works too, just don’t often see ponies with enough bits to make a payment in advance around here. Lotta farmers or small business owners. Not much tourism, not a rich town”

“Hm, well I’ve only lived in the city until today so you’ll have to tell me if I do anything weird”

Handing over the bits he counted with me making sure each was accounted for. Thankfully I had exactly how many bits I thought I brought with me making the payment easy. We exchanged goodbyes and I hooked myself up to the cart beginning the walk back to my new home.

Distracted I hadn’t even noticed my hat was still off, the already set sun returning to its home in the west. The air was noticeably cooler as well leaving me in a blissful trance. I could stay like this forever.

“Hey did you forget about me?”

I nearly jumped, only held down by the carts weight on my back. Sweetie! Where did she even go?

“I thought you went home”

“Huh? What if you needed help getting your mattress inside?”

“How come you didn’t follow me outside?”

“Cause Spring didn’t lock up yet. What if a pony walked in while you both were outside? Someone had to stay back”

Wow she was thoughtful. Much too nice and pure though to be hanging around me. She’s probably better off avoiding me altogether.

“You’re nice”

“Why thank y-“

“Too nice”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You shouldn’t be so trusting of others. For example, me”

“But you’re a good pony Feather, why wouldn’t I trust you? Also we’re neighbors! You couldn’t do anything untrusty to me and get away with it, I’d come over and scold you!”

“Untrusty?”

She blushed turning away.

“I don’t know the word for it! Bad, how about that. You couldn’t do anything bad to me and you wouldn’t anyway. We’re friends”

“Throw that word around don’t you…”

“Friends?” I only nod in response. “Well… cause we are friends… right?”

Not bothering to look over I stay focused remembering the path we took here. I’d eventually need to head back if I wanted to renovate my place so the sooner I stuck it to memory the better.

“Where I come from Sweetie friends are ponies who’ve gotten to really know each other. You know what I mean? It’s not like I don’t want to be friends with you but, I can’t just call you a friend cause I know your name and we went mattress shopping together. We’re more like… neighbors, ya know?”

She doesn’t say anything back for a while. At first I didn’t think much of it but, as time passed I remembered where I was and it dawned on me how a pony might have taken what I said different so it came to almost no surprise when I peeked over to see Sweetie slouching in her walk. I simply shook my head.

“Sweetie don’t make it seem like I just told you I killed your cat”

The sentence is enough to pop her out of the funk with a puzzled expression.

“That’s horrible”

“Much worse then saying we can still be friends”

She does a double take before a large smile makes its way across her face. Her posture picking up and her pace almost a skip.

“Really?”

I sighed.

“Yes really” overexcited I can see her practically vibrating from the ‘news’. “But after we’ve gotten to know each other a bit more. I’m not ready to call us friends just yet”

“That’s fine! I just know we’ll be great friends! Can’t you feel the chemistry between us already? It’s practically flowing”

Given the headache she’s given me I wouldn’t exactly say that.

Finally reaching my place Sweetie was kind enough to help me get my mattress upstairs and onto the frame leaving my house slightly renovated from its empty counterpart just a hour or so ago. With us both at the entrance to our homes I paused for a moment right as she opened her door.

“Sweetie?”

She paused as well curiously meeting my gaze.

“Yeah?”

“Call me Feather. It reminds me of back home”

“You got it!”

Smiling brightly she closed her door slowly with a wave before letting out a loud squeal just beyond. I’m positive I wasn’t supposed to hear it.

Shutting my own door I slid against it to the floor with a plap, exhausted from the day. Not only was I physically tired but my social battery was shot as well. It was the most talking I’d done in what felt like months and hopefully enough for the rest of the year. I peered up the stairs preparing to challenge their might, barely able to pull myself to a stand.

Perhaps it was a good time to test out my new bed.