Author's Note

Thank you all for your well wishes. I'm not completely better, but all I have now is an annoying bastard cough that's nearly gone, so good riddance to that mess.

This is just a short chapter that I wrote over the weekend when it occurred to me that I said when Cure is doing something new we'll probably be there (from the story description).

Note edit: I figured 35 would take longer. It's up now too.

Chapter 34: Pay'n'Spray

Wednesday, October 22nd, 908 AB (4 days later)

Cure woke up a little later than normal. He remembers snuggling on his dam after he got home and cleaned up, but he draws a blank on what happened next. Evidently he conked out shortly after.

He's self aware enough to recognize the symptoms; he's definitely battling some separation anxiety. Going to sleep alone isn't too hard thanks to the exhaustion of being a busy, active colt. It's the waking up alone that's difficult. It's no surprise that nearly twenty five years of waking up next to his love makes an empty bed seem very lonely.

Sleeping a lot is nice, and the stress-free life is something he barely has memories of from his… Edward's life. Bits and pieces of his childhood filter through.

He remembers dad driving him to his first ever soccer practice when he was five, sitting in the front seat with no belt on, asking about why the sky is blue or how we move and getting joking non-answers back. “Like this, Ed,” his dad says, wiggling his fingers.

Christmas at grandma's, his first crush in fourth grade, snippets of grade school recess, all the awkward embarrassing moments… ever. Those stuck very well, sadly.

It's odd what the mind hangs onto and what it doesn't. The failure, embarrassments, and regrets are carried for all eternity; the dozens of birthdays, parties, family gatherings, and other joyous events, however, are distilled into fleeting seconds of happiness and heaps of longing.

Once the memories move past childhood and into work life it becomes easier to remember… and more painful. Far more painful.

Rather than wallow in the past, he forces himself to rise, takes care of the morning routine, then gets himself groomed and ready for the day. Grooming is yet another way he gets to cheat with his talent. Having full control over the hair, oil glands, and everything else turns a tedious chore into a few simple brush strokes.

Cure finds his parents already eating breakfast when he comes down the stairs.

"Hey there, sleepyhead."
"G'mornin champ."
"Good morning, sweetie. Come eat."

After a quick round of hugs, kisses, and nuzzles (with a little extra for his dam) he hops on his chair and digs in. After a few bites he notices his mom and sire, in particular, giving him looks and smiles.

"What? Is there something in my mane?" he asks, reaching up to feel around.

Unable to hide the smirk, his sire quickly shakes his head. "Noooope!"

Title reaches over and puts a hoof on his right shoulder. "We have some good news."

"You're pregnant?" he asks, voice full of awe and eyes wide. "Congrats, mom!"

Sighing, she leans back and goes to take another bite. "Well if you're gonna be a smart butt…"

"We got ya all set up ta start yer business, son."

"What? How'd you get it done so fast? It's only been a few days."

"Turns out there ain't much to do. Ya just… start workin, basically," his dad explains with a shrug

Brows furrowed, he looks between the pair. "That doesn't sound right. There's gotta be more than that."

"You're not starting a corporation," Title explains, "you don't have employees… you literally don't have to do anything."

"And you're sure about that?"

"Yes, honey. I went there myself and checked. You just start doing business and keep track of your income. That's it."

"That seems odd. Government runs on paperwork. For them to just be like… go do whatever, we'll catch up later…” he pauses, somewhat bewildered. “Well if you're sure then I guess we can start as soon as I have some appointments lined up."

"Got that taken care of too, sport."

"Lemon's friends?"

"Nope, a couple pegasi."

"How? Were you takin names the other day?"

Title explains, "They were here on Sunday, but came by the office yesterday askin how the paperwork was comin along just after I got back from town hall. I guess they saw me from the sky, so they figured there was no harm checking."

"Yep." Deed excitedly nods. "We told 'em to stop in today after we had a chance ta talk to ya. I'm sure they'd be fine coming by after school."

"What about the form from the attorney?"

Vines answers, "Amy took care of that."

"Already?"

"How long do you think it should take a lawyer to write out a generic waiver and work agreement form, son?"

Pausing to think about it, Cure has to agree with the implication. It’s something an attorney probably has done a few dozen times, and likely even already has a pre-made template of that just needs minor alterations. "Umm… I dunno. Like… ten minutes, I guess."

"Did it take you ten minutes to do that filly's wings?" Title asks.

"Right, special talents," he nods in understanding. After a few seconds of thought he says, "Maybe more like thirty seconds."

"Probably somewhere in between, but yes. I used the Quick Copy crystal to print two dozen forms. You're unofficially open for business and, if you're ready, could see your first two customers today."

"Huh. Thanks, mom. I figured it would be another week or two. Why didn't you say something last night though?"

"When? After you came home from the range, showered, climbed on your dam, and basically passed out?"

"... Fair," he admits with a slow nod. He did crash pretty hard the night before.

"So," his mom starts, "should we tell them to meet you at Lemon's or do you want to wait?"

"Definitely. I'll meet 'em. We'll need to get some mirrors for up there soon, but for now I'll make a second Illusion crystal."

"Why would you need a second?"

"So I can use one to project their current appearance and they can use another to show what they wanna look like. Or they can project what they want done and I can use my talent and the other to show what it’ll actually look like… that should work better."

"Oh. That makes sense. Good thinkin. For now you'll just have to keep track of your income on paper. I'll order you a ledger like we use and it'll probably be here next week. Other than that I think you're all set."

"Cool. Thanks for getting everything taken care of, mom, dad. I just can't believe it was that easy. I’ll hafta go thank Amy next chance I get."

"Was it a lot more complicated in your memories?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe not if someone was just starting their own business and they were the only employee. I know starting a corporation was a lot more complex, but it probably is here too."

"Yep. That's why most ponies are just sole proprietors. Corporations and LLC's take paperwork and legal forms and have to be registered with the government."

"Don't you have an LLC?"

"Sure do, sport. I'm the owner and yer ma is the only employee."

"Ah… okay. I wasn't completely sure how all that worked. My memories all of working as an employee, so the only thing I know to do is contact an attorney."

"Sweetie, if you need to do one of your crystals before you go then you had better hurry. It's almost time to leave for school."

"Right. Thanks, dam," he says, scooping the last few bites of breakfast into his mouth, then quickly chewing and swallowing. "I'll go do that now. Thanks for havin breakfast ready."

Dawn was, unsurprisingly, happy to accompany Cure to Lemon's shop after school. After saying goodbye to the rest of the group they head over to wait for Title to meet them.

"So, any idea what they want?" she asks as they're on the way.

"Not really. My parents said it's a couple pegasi, so I'm guessing just some wing stuff like Drift."

"How much are you charging for that?"

"I talked to Amy about prices. I feel a little awkward but the amounts she suggested seem a smidge high, but the problem is that I can't charge way less than what other ponies do. It would cause problems if I'm charging half as much, especially since I don't have any expenses."

"Why? Would the other ponies get mad because you're stealing customers?"

"Maybe. It probably won't matter for years. I'll run out of magic after a couple jobs anyhow; bigger ones, at least. As you saw, I can do several color jobs easily. I just know that a new competitor opening at much lower prices for a similar or superior result can really mess up a market. I also don't want a million ponies swarming me. Again."

Cure trots ahead a few steps and opens the door for the filly, getting a smile and a quick nuzzle as she trots in. There's a couple customers there already; parents with foals, presumably from schools on the east side of town. Once again, Cure and Dawn go through the employee door, then wait for Lemon to conclude the transactions.

"Hey you two. Today's the big day, huh, Cure?"

"Yep. I'm guessin mom gave ya the heads-up?"

"Mmhmm. We went to lunch together. I'm gonna talk to a few friends and have 'em come in next week if you're ready for them."

"Sounds good to me. I'm going to have to set up some kinda appointment log so I don't book so many I'm running outta magic. Two a day sounds safe, more if it's just wing or mane stuff."

"Well if you need to get some sugar in ya just let me know. Celestia knows I'm ready. Speaking of, do either of you want anything?"

"Could I have some taffy, please?"

"Sure, Dawn baby. Cure?"

"A caramel sounds great, Lemon."

"Comin right up!"

The pair sit, haunches touching, while Lemon opens her display case and grabs the requested candies, each wrapped in a wax paper square, and passes them over.

"Thanks, Lemon!" They chorus, popping the treats in their mouths.

"You bet! Now go on upstairs and I'll send your mom up when she gets here."

After they give the mare a quick, appreciative nuzzle they make their way upstairs. There's not much in the small apartment area; it's basically a little living room with a few cushions, some toys for the fillies, a few books, then a small bedroom area and a bathroom.

A pair of large windows facing the front of the store provide adequate lighting, but Cure brought a few Light crystals to really light up the room. There's not much to clean up, so with Dawn's help and a prestidigitation crystal the entire area is spotless and the toys for Lotus and Cherry are stashed in the bedroom out of sight.

Cure sets out a stack of blank papers, a quill, and the crystals enchanted with Illusion and Quick Copy while Dawn sticks the Light crystals to different spots on the ceiling with a loop of tape and turns them on.

The two leave their bags in the bedroom and get comfortable snuggling on a mat together. Cure lays on his back, turned so his hind legs are to his left. Dawn lays to his right, happy to snuggle on his chest, gently nuzzling their chins together.

Letting out a content sigh, Cure has to really struggle to avoid falling asleep, but he figures his mom will be by soon. Just out of habit he finds himself petting down her neck and sides, causing her to let out a yawn.

"You're gonna make me fall asleep, Cure," she weakly protests.

"I'll wake ya up when I hear my mom. You can take a nap if you wanna."

"Mmm tempting, but I don't want to be snoring when your mom shows up."

"Eh, she wouldn't care. She'd probably lose her mind gushin over how adorable we are."

"I am pretty cute," she agrees, nodding into his chin.

"You have your moments."

With a scoff she argues, "You can't get enough of me."

"Pfft… you're the one followin me to work. You're just with me for my money."

"HA! What money? You haven't made any yet."

"Hmm… true. It must be my winning personality."

"It couldn't be anything else," she observes.

"Really?"

"Mmhmm. I can't think of anything. Maybe if you'd do something about these fat rolls," she says, poking his side.

"Somepony's bout to get it…" he warns in a sing song voice.

"Hmm. I'm pretty sure you're already pinned," she teases, sitting up and pinning him with her hooves under his front legpits.

Slowly looking down, he meets her eye and raises a challenging brow. Something in the look tips her off, so she quickly lights up her horn and wraps him in her aura while smirking in victory.

"Whatcha gonna do now, colt?" she taunts, waving her head from side to side. "A little unicorn filly has the big strong earth pony right where she wants him."

With a toothy grin Cure pulsates his TK aura around, quickly popping her levitation aura and leaving her wide-eyed and unprepared.

"Wha-"

Before she can react he quickly, but gently wraps his forelegs around her barrel, rotates his hind legs to his right, and with his much heavier frame, pins her on her back.

"Well look at this soft tummy… doesn't it look delicious?"

"No! Don't you da-" is as far as she gets before he blows a big raspberry on her belly, making her squeal out a laugh and start thrashing wildly.

"Oh my goodness! I thought you might be ticklish," he shouts, pausing to give her another, "but this is even better than I'd hoped for!"

"HAHAHA! NO! CURE! STAWPHAHAHA! AAAHHH! HELP!"

"Aww, poor Sunrise. Nopony is coming to save you! PBBBBTTTTT!"

"I'M HAHAH! GONNA HAH! GET YOU HAHAHA" "PBBBBTTT" "HAHAHA FOR THIS! STOP! PLEASE!"

"Well… since you used the magic-"

"Cure?" his mom calls from the stairwell. Coming up the stairs, she finds the filly still pinned and giggling, swatting at him as he nips at her belly and legpits.

"word," he finishes, looking up as Title steps in the room. "A victory for all earth pony kind, mother! Tonight we feast on our unicorn foe! I've slain a delicious morsel for dinner!"

Two hornless heads poke around the pink mare; one white with an aqua colored mane and the other a very light powder blue with a darker blue mane.

"Perfect! Our pegasus allies shall join us while we sup! A toast to our alliance against the horn-ed ones! Hear, hear!" he cheers, raising an imaginary glass and getting a glare and hoof to the chest from Dawn, an eye roll from his mom who moves off to stand by the pair, and giggles from the pegasus mares.

Climbing off the girl, he bows before the pair while Dawn gets to her hooves. "Good evening, my lovelies. I'll be your maitre de for this evening's roast. Could I interest you in a haunch perhaps? It's a little spicy, but that's where the fat, and of course, all the flavor is as well."

"FAT?!"

"Quiet, dear. Dinner does not talk," he flatly explains, with an exasperated look.

"Yer gonna pay for that," Dawn growls lowly.

Clearing her throat, Title shoots the pair a scowl.

"Alright," he nods with a smile, "joking aside, it's very nice to meet you both. My name is Cure Wave," he says, holding out a hoof to the white mare, "and my special talent," when she goes to give him a hoof bump he briefly pauses his speech to plant a kiss on her fetlock, "lets me help lovely ladies such as yourselves emphasize your natural beauty," he finishes, planting another smooch on the blue mare's fetlock.

Both mares absolutely eat it up, fawning over adorable colt's over-the-top greeting.

The white one introduces herself first. "Hello, Cure. I'm Snowy Skies and this is my wife, Frosty Glade. We have an event coming up and wanted matching wing designs like little Crosswind's."

"Exactly like hers? I used a bluejay's pattern for her, adjusted for the slightly different wing shape, of course. It would be positively stunning on the pair of you, I'm sure, given your colors."

"We were hoping for something a little different," Frosty explains, "maybe some spots like a snow owl?"

Dawn and Title are sitting to the side, quietly watching.

"I think I know what you're looking for, but I came prepared so we can be sure to get it just right. Now, before we begin,” he says, holding up a hoof, “since this is a business transaction I do have some paperwork for you," he sits on his haunches and reaches to his mom for the forms, then passes them to the mares.

"The way this will work is I ask that you read over the disclaimer about how my talent works, write out a brief description of what you would like done, then I have a set of Illusion enchanted crystals. You'll use one to show how you would like to look, I'll use my talent and the other to project the actual end result, then replicate that on the form with my fees."

"If you'd like to proceed then we'll sign the forms, my mother will collect payment, we’ll mark the forms as paid, I'll do the work, you initial that the work is done, and we both keep a copy of the paper for our records. Any questions so far?"

The two share a look and shrug. Frosty asks, "How long will it take and how long will the design last?"

"It should only take me a few minutes. How long it lasts will depend entirely on how quickly your feathers replace themselves. I don't have wings, so you know better than I. Of course, I can make the changes all the way to the follicles, so for a higher price to cover the additional time and magic requirements, it could be permanent or until you come back for a new look."

"As part of the standard package I'll also let you know, in a Sound Bubble for privacy, if my talent indicates any major health concerns."

After reading the form over, which is an explanation of the scanning ability and an acknowledgement they’re okay with it, the pair fill out the forms. Snowy goes first and, after showing the spotted, banded design she desired, Cure scans her and projects an illusion of her with it adjusted for her size and shape.

Both mares are ecstatic with the design and opt to go with a temporary version for now, including their backs, tails, and the undersides of their wings. They opt to leave their legs, chests, and bellies as-is. With the design quickly drawn on the forms, everything signed, and four hundred bits paid, Cure reproduces the spots on each mare's back and wings, going a little more slowly to ensure everything is perfect. He had not yet scanned an actual snow owl and the manual work was much more complicated.

Neither had any health issues aside from some minor dental problems he addressed for free, so within twenty minutes the transaction was concluded and the two happy, cavity-free ladies are escorted back downstairs to, Cure hopes, buy some candy from Lemon.

"You just made four hundred bits," the wide-eyed filly says, voice full of awe. "They were only here for a few minutes," she adds, waving a hoof at the stairs.

"Yep. And that's my entire work day. So… wanna go round everypony up for some kickball or something?"

"Cure… don't you realize how much four hundred bits is?"

"Umm… Yeah?"

"… I don't think you do. You're acting like that's nothing. I'm not trying to be rude, but…"

"What?"

"It's just… your house is… well…"

"Ah. Yeah, we’re kinda poor, huh? Well, look at my parents compared to yours."

"What do you mean?"

"My parents had an oopsie foal," he says as he pats his chest, "when they were just a couple months past sixteen. Your parents are older and have much more income." Approaching the filly, Cure nuzzles down the side of her neck and rests his head on her withers, giving her a neck hug.

"It means a lot to me. You saw an earth pony colt from a family living in a very… modest home, and you still showed an interest in me. This is just the start, babe. Once word gets out I'll be making two, three, even four times that most nights in the same amount of time. My family will never go without again."

Taking a half step back, he gives her a quick peck on a cheek. "Now c'mon. Pull those lights down. We'll get packed up and go do something fun."