In the Orchard - RGRE


                                            >The streets bustled with ponies going about their days.

                                            >Mares in nicely dressed suits shambling haphazardly to and from their jobs as the chilly winter air flows through the street.

                                            >You must have spaced out for a moment as a small bump disturbed you from your thoughts.

                                            >You looked down to see a small mare with a chocolate brown mane and a smooth cream coat slightly dazed sitting on her flank before you.

                                            "Ah sorry miss, I must've not seen where I was walking." You quickly apologize and reach down a hand to the small mare hoping to help her back up to her hooves.

                                            >She shook her head in order to regain her awareness and looked up at you.

                                            >A deep scowl came upon her face as she saw you and she slapped your hand away.

                                            >For a moment you reeled from the strike and confusion lined your face but it was long enough for the mare to get to her feet and start trotting away.

                                            >"Damn non-ponies always getting in the way." You could hear her mutter under her breath

                                            >As the mare trotted away, you saw a few ponies looking on at the altercation that just happened and another mare approached you.

                                            >"Sorry, I suppose not everyone's friendly in the big city eh?" She says with a slight accent her blue eyes seemingly shining in the early morning dim.

                                            >Her mane was a twist of a calm cyan and a deep purple set in a braid that fell over her withers and her coat was a simple cyan that seemed to mirror the blue skies of the Equestrian countryside.

                                            "Ah, it's alright I suppose I'm used to it now." You say with a slight sigh causing the mare to frown slightly.

                                            >"How 'bout we grab something to eat so I can show you how we treat stall- Er..." She pauses and stops herself before she continues.

                                            "Men, miss."

                                            >"How we treat 'men' back in the ol' countryside, now whaddya say?" Her smile was almost unbearably sweet and you help but say yes.

                                            >You quickly have a look down at your watch and check the time.

                                            >Well it doesn't matter that it was broken as it still had the same effect.

                                            "Sure I've got some time left over, names Anon by the way."

                                            >"Anon huh? At's a handsome name it you don't mind me sayin" She says with a sweet smile on her face. "My names Orchard Breeze but my friends just call me Orchard."

                                            "Orchard. Now that's a pretty name, wouldn't hear something like that back where I came from."

                                            >She seems to blush slightly but quickly regains her composure and swipes at the hair that fell over her eyes.

                                            >"Y-You too. Er thanks I mean. How 'bout we head down to this place down the corner?" She says while nodding her head to a nearby coffeeshop on the corner.

                                            >You give a nod and the two of you begin to walk towards the store, the sweet scent of coffee leading you towards the beautiful smell.


                                            >As the two of you enter through the doorway the subtle chime rings out through the small coffee shop.

                                            >The sound of idle chatter between the few patrons mingles in the air and the scent of coffee lingers on your nostrils.

                                            >Orchard leads you along to the front counter and calls out to the mare behind the counter.

                                            >She spins around and immediately her face grows grim and you remember less then polite disposition a few minutes ago.

                                            >Her face was full of barely masked distain and her chocolaty mane was slightly frazzled. when she saw your face but it wasn't noticeable at a glance.

                                            >"Whaddya want." She says flatly until she notices the mare beside you and her demeanor changes in an instant.

                                            >"Boss?" Her voice was tinged with a slight fear.

                                            >"Cream missy how many times have I told you, you've gotta be sweeter to the customers. You know I ain't around all the time to check in on you." Orchard's disappointment was obvious in her voice as she gently shook her head.

                                            >You pause for a moment attempting to connect the dots in this unfolding situation.

                                            >"Now remember, service with a smile. Bah and treatin' a colt with disrespect like that, fillies like you need to learn some manners." She pauses for a moment and turns her attention to you.

                                            >"Sorry 'bout that Anon, Cream's a new hire here and is just learnin' the ropes. Now what're ya feelin'."

                                            "No harm no foul Miss Cream." You say pausing for a moment you look over all the delightful baked goods on the counter side menu. "I'll have to take one of those brownies and a small black coffee if you could."

                                            >"Ah a colt who likes his coffee strong eh?" She says humming in approval and continues. "I'll take a long black if you could Cream."

                                            >A few moments later and Cream returns to the front counter with two coffees and a small brown bag in her magical grip.

                                            >"Enjoy your coffee boss." She says attempting to hide her distain of you once more before turning around and fiddling with one of the coffee machines.

                                            >You go to grab for Orchard's drink as well as your own but she had already swept it onto her withers without any effort and she shoots you a small smile.

                                            >"Don't go worrying about me Anon, this ol' back can handle carryin' a lot more then just a simple coffee." She says with a small wink and a smile finds its way onto your own lips.

                                            >The two of you amble towards the seats near the window and you take a seat opposite to Orchard.

                                            >Your lips gently touch the cup rim and you feel the searing heat of the scalding liquid burn your tongue.

                                            >"So Anon, how'd you manage to find yourself in the big city?"

                                            >You look out the window and ponder the question for a moment while listening to the gentle clinking of cups fill the shop.

                                            "I lived out in the country for a while and I just couldn't fit in. Suppose it's just closer to what my old home was like. Always on the move, bustling and busy."

                                            "I gotta say. I miss it sometimes." You allow yourself to trail off slightly and you look back to the small mare opposite to you.

                                            >She reaches a hoof over to your hand and rubs it as though to console you.

                                            >"Can't say I'd ever get used to the bustlin' 'round here but you can't pick where your home is." She says her smile softening slightly.

                                            >Orchard takes a deep swig from her coffee cup without flinching.

                                            >"I knew I hired that filly for a good reason. She might not show it but she can whip up a good coffee." She says with a contented sigh.

                                            >You had to admit despite Cream's personality issues she was quite a mean coffee.

                                            >Brining the cup to your lips once more the liquid seems to have a much more gentle warmth and you take a small sip.

                                            "So how about you Orchard? What brings a pretty mare like you to the big city?"

                                            >She lets loose a light hearted chuckle and shakes her head.

                                            >"Well business purposes mostly. Till I met you 'course now it's a bit of both." She says with a cheeky smile finding its way onto her face.

                                            >"I run a small farm with the family out in the west a ways and a small coffeeshop in this ol' town. Not much to be said I suppose if I weren't to be braggin' about my life."

                                            >She brings a hoof to her chin in thought and shrugs slightly.

                                            >You take the small brownie out of the bag and you can almost taste the sweet chocolate with your eyes alone.

                                            >When you finally took a bite from the treat your taste buds were alight with pleasure, the sweet tinge of chocolate seemed to sing to your senses and you lost yourself in the moment.

                                            >Orchard watches you with a content smile on her lips while you continue to gorge yourself on the amazing brownie.

                                            >"Careful hun that sugar might go straight to your hips." She says breaking you out of your trance and she continues with a broader smile. "Not that I'd mind that of course."

                                            "Right, sorry- I uh lost myself for a moment there. I've gotta ask what in the world do you put in these things." You say desperate to know the source of your pleasure.

                                            >"Sorry hun ol' family secret passed down from my great grand-pappy right down to me. Seems my pop's took me for a baker but I think there's room for a stallion's touch."