>carriages rock up the cobblestone street, their passengers glancing at the quaint storefronts
>you pass behind one, its carriage rocking back and forth as the stallion pulls it onward
>making your way across the street, you see the green corner-store, with balcony flowers adorning the top windows
>above the bright yellow covers, stands the sign, in italic letters
>COFFEE CORNER
>a yellow outline of a cup punctuates the sign
>it has been a busy week in Canterlot , and your body needs it’s daily mid-morning fix
>conveniently this store was just a few minutes’ walk from where you worked, so it became habit quickly
>you reach for the handle of the wooden door, swinging it open as you stepped inside
>the bell chimes your presence, yet it fades away among the hush bustle of the patrons inside the store
>the beige interior is lit by the grand storefront windows, with tiny lamps jutting from the ceiling filling in the gaps
>making your way to the counter, you pass ponies idly chatting as they relax on plush couches
>Joe sure keeps this place immaculate, you think to yourself faintly
>the polished wooden floor blends your figure with the reflected light, your black dress shoes patting across them as you make your way to the counter
>resting your elbow on the glass counter, you are greeted by a familiar face
>emerging from a cloud of steam, Joe greets you with a warm expression
>”Eey’ Anon, good to see you...”
>you raise your hand in a faint two finger salute
>”I’ll go fix up the usual. It looks like you need it badly this time.”
>you simply nod, your body too weary to respond properly as you pinch the bridge of your nose
>Joe returns and hands you the riffled styrofoam cup accompanied with the wooden stirrer,
>the brown liquid swirls inside, the foam following suit
>already the roasted aromas invigorate you
“Thanks Joe, you’re a life saver man.”
>you give a smile with your handful of bits, placing it on the counter-top
>”For you, no problem.”
>he continues with arranging cups for the next order
>you take a small sip, the hidey taste welcomed on your tongue
>you sigh, your shoulders drooping as you relax into the familiar moment
>you glance over to one of the corners
>underneath one of the rustic pottery portraits, you see a dark blue mare sitting by herself
>she gazes ahead of herself, deep in thought
“Hey Joe...who’s the fair mare over there?”
>you turn your hand and signal subtly in that direction
>”Hmm? Oh, her...yeah, that’s Princess Luna. You should get out more Anon, she’s quite famous here in Canterlot, though she prefers to keep to herself.”
>”...and other ponies keep to that.”
“Oh, well thanks....I’ll keep that in mind”
>you gaze furtively at her again
>her flowing mane draping down the back of her chair
>raising your cup you thank Joe again for the coffee, before you make your way to her
>passing her, you place your cup on the dark wooden table, before seating yourself in the chair across from her
>she looks at you with a peering stare, cocking her head to the side somewhat
>”Can I....help you with anything?”
>you smile cheerfully, albeit with a tinge of awkwardness
“Greetings your highness, I’m Anonymous, though folks just call me Anon...”
>you extend your hand outward in gesture, yet it is left alone
>”Charmed, though I know of you Anon, there is no need for introductions from your part”
>she looks away again, towards the storefront windows, seeing the ponies pass by outside
>you pull back your hand, and rest it on the table as the silence is filled with the murmur of patrons again
>leaning back into your chair, you ask cautiously
“So...what brings you to a place like Coffee Corner?”
>you make small circles with your hand, as if trying to stir on her next response
>”Ponies, Anonymous. My subjects going about their daily lives always provoked my curiosity.”
“Oh? I guess I can see the appeal to that.”
>”Can you now? Tell me then Anonymous, what ponies do you see when you walk here every day?”
>you cock your eyebrow, and gesture open-palmy at her inquiry
”I see many ponies on my way here, some business-looking, others among the company of others...”
>”You look at them the same way you look at your drink Anonymous, simply there and the same each day. Do you stop and look at their expressions, their styles...their flavors?”
“No?”
>you regard her questions quite odd, your blithe expression showing as much
>”Very well, then let us speak of something you do take the time to concern yourself with. What coffee are you currently savoring?”
”Filter Coffee, Medium-roast, one sugar with a dollop of milk”
>you recite your mantra flawlessly, seeing as it was your usual request to Joe till he finally memorized it as well
>you instinctively reach for your coffee again, taking another sip
>”I had it figured as much. A hidey start... Malty- with a barley aftertaste. Not that particularly exciting.”
>her languid tone, drives the nail further home
>before you can retort, she directs your attention to the two ponies sitting nearby
>a grey stallion with the polo-sweater is busy talking with a light-pink mare, who appears to be sporting a plum-bowtie in her curled blue locks
>In front of them stands two cups, each half-filled with coffee
>”There is much you can use to describe who you see by the simple flavors of coffee alone...”
>”The gentlecolt there is currently drinking a cafe latte, medium-roast...with a hint of almond flavor..”
>”The lady is delighting herself with a cappuccino...”
>she sniffs the air delicately, closing her eyes as she reminiscences over the aroma
>”light-roast, floral undertones with a hint of Rose.”
>you gaze at her slack jawed, impressed by her masterful sense of smell
>you clap your hands lightly together
“That was most impressive your highness, yet now you have ensnared my curiosity...”
>she looks at you searchingly, her cyan eyes ever so piercing
”May I ask... what coffee are you yourself drinking?”
>her own mug of coffee stands beside the condiments tray, slightly hiding behind it
>her cobalt blue magical aura envelopes it, as she brings it to her mouth
>taking a sip, you see her reaction mimicking yours from earlier
>she places it down besides yours, before gazing back at you alluringly
>”I have tasted many coffees before... long searching for just the right one...”
>she rises from her seat, before she starts walking away
>she glances back at you, her starry tail swaying with the movement of her hips
>”You should do the same Anonymous...It will do you well to try something different for a change...”
>her hooves clop across the polished wooden floor, before you hear the distant chime of her exciting the cafe
>quizzically, you reach over to her cup and bring it to your lips
>immediately your palate is filled with a cornucopia of flavors
>A medium to dark roast for sure
>with a blend of spicy chocolaty flavors
>hints of nutmeg and cloves
>you sigh in pleasure, wondering when you’ll get the chance to taste this again
 
-end-