Handyman in Equestria CH 3

>You awaken in your bed, seems you've actually managed to waked up early for once...

>A yawn and a stretch later, you take your attention to the clock...

“Christ, 10am?”

>When was the last time you were up at this hour?

>You swing your legs to side of the bed and plant your feet on the floor, trying to shake the grogginess from your head...

>...

>Why is your right foot wet?

>You look down, noticing a small pool of what appears to be vomit on the floor...

>Seems Rainbow Dash left you a present last nigh.

“You'll pay for this, Dash...”

>Figures, since she left in such a hurry last night

>Wait... Last night...

“Fuck me...”

>You bury your face in your hands at remembering the 'tip' Luna gave you for that bottle of wine

>Wait, why are you sweating over this?

>Damnit, this is why you hate when business is so slow...

>Too much down time always gave you headaches, literally and figuratively  

>Thankfully you remember that your raw materials should be coming later today, so at least you could get your head right over a couple projects

>Still, first things first...

 

>You remember that your foot has been soaking in your best pal's generosity.  You go and grab the mop and get it cleaned up

>Well, the wood seems to be fine.  The lacquer is a little discolored, but it's an easy fix

“I'll let you live this time, Dash...”

>You continue your usual morning routine; shower, brushed teeth, shave, etc, emerging from the bathroom a new man

>Stress seams to have washed off with the grime.  Gonna be a good day, you think to yourself

>It's been weeks since you were up early enough for a proper breakfast.  Might as well make a day of it

>You head to the front of the workshop, gathering your affects and lighting a cigarette on your workbench lamp

>Good to go, you head to the door and open it to something that takes you a bit off guard...

>“Oh! …  H-Hey Anon!”

>You're met by mint colored pony, hoof raised ready to knock on the now open door

>Her large golden eyes are staring at you with light shock

“Morning, Lyra.  What brings you by?”

>She drops her hoof back to the ground and turns her head slightly, her face looking a little curious

>”Bon Bon told me you wanted me to come by today...”

>That's right... You told Bon Bon you would make up for blowing Lyra off for dinner...

>Well played Bonny...

 

“Oh... Right....  Almost forgot.  I have a little free time this morning and was planning on getting some pancakes at Bon Bon's.  Wanna join me?”

>What the hell?  You could use the company, you suppose...

>Her golden eyes almost pop out of her skull at the offer.  A wide grin coming across her face

>She starts to skip in place

>”I'd love to!  Now?!”

“Unless your busy- Hey!”

>She takes the bottom of your shirt in her mouth, pulling you towards the city circle

>Seems she's excited...  But when wasn't she?  You've always known Lyra to be a ball of energy

>The two of you walk to the city circle, Lyra almost fizzing with excitement

>It takes no time at all before your destination is within spitting distance  

>Lyra charges into Bon Bon's shop with glee

>”Bonny!...”

>Lyra shouts into the seemingly empty shop before both of you notice Bon Bon emerge from the back

>”Hey Lyra.  How'd it go at...”

>It takes her a second to notice you standing behind her

>Odd since you tend to stand out anywhere you go

>”...the concert last night?...”

>Please Bonny...  Like you didn't see right through that verbal pivot

>You shoot her a deadpan look, which she returns with a devious smirk

>”Didn't I tell you about it last night?”

>Seems Lyra is as oblivious as always.  It was a cute little quirk of hers

>”Oh that's right...  So, what brings you two here?”

>She smiles warmly

“I thought I'd get some breakfast and invited Lyra along.  You still serving?”

>She gives you smile with a trace of approval in it.  Seems you managed to get back on her good side

>Looks like you could count on her business in the future.  Lyra seemed like she was in a better mood too.  Mission accomplished, you suppose.

 

>”The store is closed for the day, but I don't mind whipping something up for you two.  I was about to make something for myself anyway.  Come into the kitchen.  I'd rather keep the counters clean till tomorrow”

>Lyra tugs you into the back of the shop, following Bon Bon closely

>You follow in tow, making your way into a slightly cramped breakfast nook in the back f the kitchen

“Closing up for the day already?  You got plans today or something?”

>Bon Bon is rummaging through the fridge at this point, pulling out some ingredients

>”I do, but not until later.  I'm just not expecting much as far as business goes, so I'm taking the day off”

>Lyra plops herself next to you in the nook

>”We're actually going to a party at Berry Punch's place tonight.  You wanna come?!”

>Bon Bon shoots you a nonchalant look, tossing the ingredients into a mixing bowl and going at them with a whisk

>Play it cool...

”I'd love to, but the shop is running low on inventory and I need to get it stocked up tonight”

>Lyra's wide smile shrinks a bit, but lingers as her head drops a little

>”Oh...”

>Bon Bon looks a little annoyed, stirring the batter with more vicious strokes than before

>Having things go back to how sour they were before is something you would prefer to avoid. >Suddenly, inspiration comes to you

“You have another concert coming up in a couple days, don't you? I remember seeing a flier at the tavern about it”

 

>Lyra seems to perk right back up at the question, still a little down though.

>”Yeah.  Day after tomorrow”

“What time?”

>”It's a midnight show at the amphitheater.”

>An opening appears

“Well I'm out of orders for right now.  Count on me coming this time, alright?”

>You ruffle her hair a little bit as she giggles

>Critical Hit!

>”Sounds good!”

>Seems Bon Bon takes this positively as well

>”Anonymous appearing at a public event?  I must still be asleep...”

"Could be.  You're kind typically bursts into flames in sunlight, don't they?"

>Her cheeks puff a bit at the jab, but it's quickly replaced with a shit eating grin

>"Ha!  You're one to talk...  So what's got you up at this hour?  The tavern doesn't open for a couple hours"

>Her comment is dipped, drenched and dripping with sarcasm

“Well you finally managed to stop breaking your shelving.  It's left me with more free time than I know what to do with”

>This was familiar territory for the two of you.  Banter seemed to be your way of keeping each other on your toes.

>”Well maybe if they were built a little sturdier...”

“I'll be sure to cast the next order in pig iron”

>Lyra bursts into laughter

“You two... Are hilarious!  Haha!”

>The two of you join her chuckling

>Bon Bon then produces a couple pancakes.  Big thick and fluffy.  She could be a little grating at times, but damn could this mare cook

>She sits down across from you and Lyra

>”Feel free you two.”

 

>No arguments here, you dig in

>Christ, Mary and Joseph, this was good.  It's been weeks since you've had something this good.

>”So will you be performing any new music this time, Lyra?”

>”Mmhm!  I shtill got shome work to do on the shet, but it'sh gonna be all new shtuff”

“Nice.  Can't wait to hear it”

>Lyra beams at your comment

>Fucking Lyra was adorable some times, cheeks stuffed to the rafters with pancake

>She was a sincere and light hearted p0ny, often bringing you out of your own little funks when you were in a bad mood.  She had that quality that tended to brighten up those around her.

>”Juft y' ait An'n!  Y're gung lv i'!”

>Bits of her breakfast are shooting from her mouth

“Swallow, Lyra.  I'm fine with my breakfast without sampling some of yours”

>You wipe the bits of syrupy fluff of you're face

>Bon Bon tries not to laugh.  She's not doing a very good job

>Lyra blushes slightly before following it with a massive gulp

>”Sorry...”

>She takes on a more demure expression

“No sweat.”

>You give her hair another tussle

>The three of you continue chatting about this and that.  Lyra would occasionally pull something cute, including when she tried to mimick the way you would use a fork in lieu of her magic.  No luck, though

>You and Bon Bon both laughed pretty hard at that one

>Bon Bon would occasionally take a jab at you, not that you weren't able to go toe to toe with her

>Lyra always seemed to get a kick out of you two going at it

 

>After some more playful banter, Bon Bon takes a look at the clock

>”Oh!  It's that late already?”

>You take a look, noticing it was already 1 oclock!

>Shit!  The order is going to be here soon!

“Oh man!  I gotta get back to the shop!”

>Lyra shoots her ears up at you, looking at you with a little disappointment in her eyes

>”So soon?”

“Sorry guys.  I got some materials coming today, so I gotta get back”

>”Alright...  You sure you can't come to Berry's tonight”

>You pause a second before giving Lyra a scratch behind the ears

“Sorry.  I promise I'll be at the show, though.  Day after tomorrow at midnight, right?”

>She smiles, blushing a little

>”Right.  See you then?”

"Wouldn't miss it”

 

>You turn to Bon Bon pulling a cigarette out

“See you guys later.  Bon Bon, what do I owe you for breakfast”

>”On the house.  I'll see you at the concert, alright?”

>The look says it all, she wasn't playing around here...

“You got it.  Thanks for the grub, Bonny.  Later Lyra!”

>They both wave as you make your escape

>You make your way to the front door and exit to the city circle.

>Seems in spite of getting off on the wrong foot in an extremely sticky way, today is looking to be a good one

>You rush yourself back to the workshop, noticing a small note on the front of the door

>Shit, did you miss him?

>'Anon.  Saw you weren't home.  Order's in the back.  Let me know if you want to put some hours in at the gym.  Later, pal! -Roy D Rage'

>You pocket the note and breathe a sigh of relief

“Thank god...”

>Making your way around your workshop, you see a a myriad of planks and blocks of different woods placed next to your back door

>Looks like everything is there.  Time to get this stuff inside...

>If this were Earth, you'd be pissed that he just left your merchandise out in the open, but there was never cause for concern around here for stuff like that

>Canterlot was like something from a fairy tale...  Or Canada...

 

>You tart hauling bundles of blocks and planks into the workshop

>It takes some doing, but you finally manage to get everything inside and organized in your store room

“Right.  Time to get to work...”

>You were a little giddy.  It's been too long since you were able to do one of these 'make whatever you feel like' kind of nights

>You head to a large bookcase, made by you of course and leaf through a number of records before stopping at one that catches you attention

>It was a gift from a cellist you worked for.  Seems her stage fell apart the day before a show and needed some emergency repairs

>She gave you her band's latest album as additional thanks on top of your fee

>You plop it on the nearby record player

>Dulcet tones fill the walls of the workshop as you gear up for a long night

“Let's get crackin'”

>You start out with the easy stuff; shelving and side tables

>Small, simple and in pretty high demand for the most part

>For reasons that escape you, p0nies always seem to manage to get into some sort of shenanigans.  Furniture never had a long shelf life around here, not that you were complaining

>You remember that parasprite outbreak from a few years ago...

>A wince hits your face as you recall the amount of orders that came up overnight

>You made a fortune, truth be told, but Christ...  That was a long week...

>You continue working, losing any sense of time in the medley of sawing, sanding, planing and pounding

>The only breaks you afford yourself are for cigarettes and changing records and one break to polish off the rest of that casserole from the other night

 

>finishing with the last screw on your third set of shelves, you take a second to look at what you've managed so far

>3 nightstands, 5 coffee tables and 3 bookshelves

>Simple and low markup.  You figure these should sell quick enough

>Lighting another cigarette, you turn your attention to the window...

“Fuck, it got dark in a hurry”

>The clock tells you it's about midnight...

>You've made some good headway.  No use in stopping here.  

>You pause, holding your elbow in one hand and bringing the free hand to your mouth

“... We'll need a showroom piece...”

>Out of nowhere, you attention is grabbed by a loud knock at your door

“Dafuq is this at this hour?”

>You walk to the door, opening it to see none other than your favorite bartender

>”Evening Anon!  I figured you'd still be working”

“Barley!  Good to see you!  What's the matter?  Someone break a bar stool again?”

>He laughs

>”Haha!  Nah, nothing like that.  The taverns actually closed for the night.  Thought I'd come by and see my favorite customer, is all”

>He mothions his head to his saddle bag, the top of a bottle poking out

>This fucking guy...

 

“Well it's good to see you.  I'm working on some inventory, but make yourself at home”

>Barley walks in pulling the bottle out of his bag and setting it on your counter

>The bottle looks familiar

>...  wait...

“Barley, this is your top shelf whiskey.  You sure this is alright?”

>He continues to pull out some glasses and pops the bottle

>”It's just a for show really.  No one ever orders the stuff.  Besides, it's more for me than you, I just figured you could use some company”

>You smirk, knowing where this is going

“You and Hops going at it again?”

>”Yeah... She wanted me to come with her to her mother's for the night, but I wasn't having it.  I hate her mother.”

>You grab one of the glasses, the amber liquid smells fantastic

“Sounds rough”

>”You'll understand when you're older, kid”

“Not if I can help it.  Cheers”

>Barley laughs heartily at your jab as you return to your work

>For some reason you can't seem to think of a good high end piece for display...

>...

>”You alright, kid?”

“Yeah, I'm just trying to think of a piece to display in the shop for a quick turnaround...”

>”What about something like that couch I ordered?”

“Things like that I prefer to do to order.  P0nies can be really picky for anything upholstered...”

>...

“How is that couch, by the way

>Barley adorns a wide smile

>”Great!  Comfy as can be.  Celestia knows it's gotten some mileage! Haha!”

“Fuck, Barley.  How deep in the dog house are you?”

>He's outright balling in laughter by now

 

>”It's rough, kid.  But it'll be fine.  I'll give her a romantic dinner and it'll be fine.  Marriage is just like that.”

>You raise your glass one more time

“I'll take your word for it”

>You swill the contents of your glass in one go before it hits you like a brick, almost causing you to choke on the alcohol

“That's it!”

>Barley looks at you a little concerned

“A dining room set would be perfect.  It would display nicely and I can take my time and work on the chiseling...”

>You walk into the storeroom, grabbing a number of cherry wood blocks and planks

“It'll sell for a decent amount, too.”

>Barley starts to smirk a bit

>”You oughta use it to do a dinner with that mare you were with the other night, the one from Ponyville...  What was her name again?  The one with the hair?”

>Here it comes...

“Rainbow Dash, and she's just a friend.”

>Barley takes a second to look around

>“She leave already?”

“Yeah, she probably wanted to get back to her boyfriend.”

>Barley looks a little concerned by now, refilling his glass

>”Shame, Anon.  I was hoping you were finally going to bag yourself a mare of your own”

>You bring out the last of the raw materials for the table

>”I mean, you've always shown up at the tavern as a solo act.  You still haven't found someone?  Stallions shouldn't be cooking for themselves at your age”

>The probing elicits a little irritation

 

“I'm not a stallion, Barley...  Besides, my work comes first.”

>You're both silent for a second.  You pour yourself a short shot and down it before sitting at your workbench and begin some rough sketches

>Barley seems to employ a stern grin

>”You aint dead, either.”

>Barley picks himself from his prone position and takes the glasses in his bag

>”My advice, kid... It's not so bad, having someone around that can you can lean on.  You're a good egg, but you're not going to be young forever

>You don't say anything...

>Barley walks to the door

>He leaves the bottle on the counter

“You forgot the booze”

>”Keep it.  You need it more than I do from the looks of it.  I got a crate of the stuff”

>A smirk comes across your mouth.  This fuckin' guy...

“I doubt that, Pal.  My regards to Hops.”

>Barley chuckles

>”Wise ass...  Have a good one, kid.”

>As the door closes, you take a second to reflect on what he said, leaning back in your chair

>Maybe he had a point.  You were still in your prime, but you knew full well you weren't getting any younger...

>It would be nice having someone around, you suppose.

>You think back to Luna's little gift from the night before...

>Royalty seemed a stretch...  Sounded complicated

>Lyra?

>That means dealing with Bon Bon more than you felt you wanted to...

>...It'd be nice to get some more of those pancakes, though.  You were kind of peckish.

 

>...

>Fuck it.  You'll figure it out later...

>You bring yourself back over the sketches, continuing to pour over dimensions and conceptual designs

>Time seems to fly by as you prepare what you are comfortable will be an impressive set

>A couple more details are added before your head rests on the top of the workbench

>You were exhausted...  It had been a long day

>Sleep takes you right then and there

>...

>...

>It's not long before the peace is broken...

>More knocking?

>You lift yourhead slowly, pages which were stuck to your face fall back onto the table

>The clock reads 6am...  What the fuck is this at such an ungodly hour?

>More knocking, getting louder and louder the longer you try and ignore it...

“This better be fucking good...”

>You trundle over to the door and open it.

>Two white stallions adorned in gold armor are standing at attention

>Well this just got interesting

>You rub your eyes quickly before greeting them

“Something I can do for you?”

>”We have a letter from her Majesty, Princess Celestia.”

>...

“Pardon?”

 

>”We're ordered to escort you to the castle, sir.  We have no other information”

>A knot forms in your stomach as concern takes over your mind.

>Fuck...  Was there something wrong with the table?”

“Sure....  Give me a minute, will ya?

>”Of course.  We will need to leave shortly, however.”

“I understand.  I'll be right out”

>You close the door and head over to your bench.  Looks like the next project is going to have to wait.

>You grab your smokes and your passport

>Swill of Barley's finest for seasoning.  God knows you could use something for a pick me up.

>Right.  Let's go see what this is all about

>You exit the workshop, both stallions meeting you completely straight faced

>”Please follow us, sir.”

>If you were in any trouble, you're be going to the castle in cuffs

>Still the feeling of anxiety for what the issue could be doesn't leave you

>...

>You could really go for some pancakes right now...