Please don't shatter

"Mama im cold",

Spoke a Pegasus foal. Her wings shivered in time with the rest of her body.

If there was one thing Amber hated most it was the cold. Not just because of the temperature, but because it also meant that they would be stuck inside their little makeshift home. At least until starvation proved to be too much for them to handle. It was times like these that made her jealous of other families and their well-built houses.

"Come here"

A wing gently enveloped not only her but her brother who bared the cold with no complaint.

Of course, that wasn't a surprise since her brother was the toughest pony she knew. Coming second only to their mother.

Sighing Sugar buries her face into her mother's coat. Seeking a familiar warmth that her own body lacked. A second later an all too familiar voice reached her ears.

"I'm sorry".

The amount of pain that was spoken in that one word always confused Sugar.

Glancing over to her brother the filly realized that she wasn't the only one.

"Why are you sorry mama?"

It wasn't her that spoke, but her brother. His voice alone carried an air of innocence that only a colt would have. In response, their mother merely shook her head before nuzzling them both. The look in her eyes always made the eldest stomach turn.

Suddenly the sound of approaching hoof steps made them freeze.

Oh no, not again.

Tears were quick to fill sugar's eyes as the filly began hyperventilating.

No-no-no.

The pony gets closer.

Sweet's vision began to blur.

Her brother's hoof finds its way into her mouth.

Clip clop clip clop.

The filly began to quietly sob. Only for another hoof to reach under her chin. A second later amber eyes met a pair similar to their own.

Her mother puts a hoof to her lips in a shushing motion. Her eyes pleading. Not wanting to upset her mother Sugar did as she was told,

And not a moment too soon.

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"Not coming today eh?"

Stir sighed before shaking her head.

In response, her co-worker, a yellow buff-looking unicorn stallion by the name of Yellow Tone shook his head.

"Don't worry about it she'll come around sooner or later"

Knowing later probably meant around the older mare's death bed Sour nods. All though her expression is one of disappointment. For some unknown reason, Honey was not the type to willingly seek out companionship of any sort. Heck, the first time they met one another the mare wanted nothing to do with her. It took months of patience and goodwill before they were on munch more friendly terms. It took even longer for an actual friendship to blossom.

"I just wish she was a bit more open you know?"

"So you keep telling me".

Snorting Yellow Tone merely patted the mare on the back. His expression is one of gentle encouragement. "As I said before no matter what happens don't give up okay? She'll come when she's ready".

Nodding Sour gives the stallion a gentle smile. He was right of course. As much as she hated to admit she couldn't exactly force ponies to change for their benefit. At least in a way that was both detrimental to them and their future. Not that she wanted that type of power in the first place mind you. Still, it would have been better than seeing ponies suffer. Ot worse yet seeing them willingly destroy themselves.

"Now let's go and feed all these hungry mouths shall we?"

The unicorn nods, her smile growing.

"Yeah, sounds good".

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"What do you mean I can't get a refund?!"

"That's company policy, sir".

Upon hearing the matter a fact tone in Honey's voice the stallion growled. How dare this mare treat him like a fool! He was so much more than this mare could handle.

"I want to speak to your supervisor!"

"I am the supervisor".

"Then send over your boss!"

"He's out sick".

The dark stallion gritted his teeth. His mint-colored eyes burned with barely suppressed rage.

Honey was unmoved.

Working at a GameStop wasn't exactly a dream job of hers. Nor was it tolerable in the slightest. Unfortunately, bits were low, and as such, she needed to find a solution.

It was a mistake that she deeply regretted.

The stallion leaned close. So close that Stir was able to smell his breath. Unfortunately for the mare's sensitive nose, it wasn't a pleasant scent.

"Look bitch" he started. His hoof visibly shook from its spot on the table. "You either give me my money or you can risk your face getting smashed in".

Sour blinked.

"Is there anything I can help you with sir?"

The stallion didn't respond. Instead, he merely sneered before turning and making his way towards the door. However just before he was about to exit he turned. The look on his face was downright vengeful.

"Don't say I didn't warn you!"

The door slammed shut.

Once the coast was clear Honey scuffed before rolling her eyes.

She could tell just by looking at him that the stallion thought pretty highly of himself. He also was the type who wasn't afraid to threaten others when he doesn't get in his way. Suffice it to say the asshole grew up pretty spoiled. Regardless she was more than a little sure that she had nothing to worry about, and if she was wrong? Well, she fought stallions before.

"He didn't seem like a pleasant chap".

Upon hearing this Honey merely nods. She didn't need to look over to tell that her boss was standing right behind her.

The pony himself was old. So old in fact that if you were to push him even slightly there was a risk of him having a heart attack then and there.

"You could have gotten me you know".

Pin Wheel stated. There was a hint of amusement in his voice. That alone told Stir that he found the past interaction quite funny.

Too bad said amusement was one-sided.

Sour shrugged. She could have taken that route. Then again there was no telling how far the stallion was willing to go when faced with pony decades older than him. The strong take advantage of the weak after all. That was a lesson that the pegasus learned at a young age.

Pin chuckled. Or at least Stir thinks he did. It sounded more like a wheeze than anything else.

"Oh well, I suppose that if he ever comes back I'll go ahead and get the authorities involved".

That made the mare's eyebrow raise.

"You honestly think they care?"

Pin looked over at her in confusion.

"Never mind, I'll go ahead and hang up the new sign regarding the two for one discount".

Pin nods. The confusion had yet to leave his face. "Sounds good, oh and feel free to take a break if needed".

Stir nods appreciating the gesture.

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"Oh come on!" Honey shouted. The sign had once again made its way onto the pavement.

Sighing the seafoam-colored pony decided to take a much-needed break.

It only took a moment for her to pull out her container of cigarettes. It took her less than that to light one. Breathing in the toxins that may or may not give her cancer Stir began to look around. As she did she noticed a few ponies looking over at her. It was most likely because of two things.

One her oh so ravishing looks.

Or two because of the noticeable bags under her eyes. That's mainly due to her sleeping about once or twice a week.

She suspected it to be the latter.

Stir sighed before closing her eyes.

As she did she thought about Sour.

She felt bad about denying her offer. To be honest in the grand scheme of things it made little sense on her part. She could have spent the day spending time with a dear friend. Instead, she's stuck at her job dealing with a few game-addicting assholes here and there.

The answer should have been obvious.

"Yo!"

A young, feminine, low pitch voice made Stir open her eyes. Looking over she saw a coral-colored Earth pony mare with crimson-colored eyes and a light brown mane and tail looking over at her. The mare's cutie mark was that of a giant rock.

For some reason, Stir found that pretty strange. Then again her cutie mark consists of a knife piercing through three small hearts. With this in mind, Stir knew that she couldn't judge.

At least not while the pony was right in front of her.

"Yes?"

"Do ya know where I find can find Tooth Fairy lane?" I'm trying to reunite with some old friends of mine".

Stir paused.

Now under normal circumstances, she would have just ignored the pony, but, the way her eyes shined with confidence, and how she stood with her head held high reminded Honey of some pony else

A pony who looked vaguely similar.

"Hello?!"

Shaking her head Honey spoke.

"Just keep going down then make a right at the stoplight go a few yards down then make a left".

The mare nods," thanks".

"Don't mention it".

Turning her head away for a moment Stir took another puff of her cigarette. By the time she looks back the mare was gone.

For a brief moment, the mare questioned if the pony ever even existed.