RP Intro - Cricket

Sparkdust strolled to the front of the store and switched the sign on the front door to "open". The morning was nice, but she could tell that it was going to be a boiling day. She walked back into the kitchen, stopping to adjust a sign on the wall that she had just thrown together- "Seat yourself". She frowned at it. It didn't seem proper, not having a waitress, and having customers come to the window to order their breakfast made it seem like a fast food joint. She was gaining a little profit now. "Maybe I should hire some help," she thought to herself just as the little bell above the shop tinkled.

A petite unicorn mare walked in, a bell around her own neck jingling along with the bell above her head. She smiled warmly, a smile so full of honesty and care. "Sparky~" she said quietly, hop-skipping up to her to give her a tight hug.

Sparkdust laughed and returned the hug. "Cricket! I was wondering when you were going to show up. How are ya, sweetheart? Aw, just look at you, you're gorgeous!"

She pulled the demure mare back to look her over. Cricket was very small, compared to Spark's slight tallness for a mare. Small honey-colored locks uncurled around her round face and down the back of her neck, a little longer than Spark's mane. Her coat was creamy white and her bright face was adorned with turquoise eyes heavy with dark lashes that required no makeup. Despite her small size, her large draft-horse father's genes showed through at her hooves, which trailed a little bit of wispy fur like a Clydesdale. Her legs were the same color as her mane at the bottoms and speckled up her leg like she had walked through a particularly messy puddle of honey. A long tail which split into several droopy curls brushed against her back legs. The silver bell on the turquoise satin ribbon around her neck matched her cutie mark.

"You look awesome, too," Cricket said. "You always looked more together than I do. It's this curly mane, it never wants to behave..." she fidgeted with her droopy curls self-conciously. Sparkdust promptly shooed her hoof away.

"Your mane looks lovely, Cricket, and it always has! I've been telling you this for years!"

The two laughed together, talking about Fillydelphia and the fun they had fillies.

"I always called you Jiminy Cricket, 'cause you were always getting me out of trouble, remember?" Sparkdust said. "I don't know how I would have graduated if you weren't there to call me down from the clouds to get me to study."

Cricket blushed easily, and did so now. "Oh, that's not true, I'm sure you would have been fine. You're so smart, Sparky, you just needed a little encouragement," she insisted modestly. Although Cricket was actually a little older than Sparkdust, she regarded the pegasus with the adoration of a younger sibling. She had always admired her ability to speak her mind and converse openly without inhibition, and her uncanny ability to attract stallions... And mares. Including Cricket herself.

But that was a crush long passed, and Cricket contented herself with romance novels instead of actually finding a partner. She had been on a single date, with a very awkward stallion shortly after high school via an online dating service, but it had ended so disastrously that she didn't dare return to the website, or to return any of the clingy stallion's calls. She had never had a colt friend. She was okay with this. Books were just fine, indeed.

"So have you got a place to stay?" Sparkdust inquired, snapping Cricket out of her quick reminiscent daydream. The unicorn blushed once again upon realizing she had been staring at the tall, slender mare.

"Oh, yes," she replied. Her manner of speaking was very smooth, and almost sounded rehearsed, as if she always went over what she was about to say in her head. Hours of speech therapy as a filly had calmed a serious stuttering problem long ago. "I'm staying at that hotel behind Sugarcube Corner for the time being."

"Oooh, that place is fancy!" Sparkdust winked and nudged her playfully. "That business of yours must be treating you well!"

"Ha, yes..." Cricket looked away modestly. "There's a high demand for what I make in Fillydelphia, or at least there WAS..." She pouted a little. "A big chain-brand recently built a store nearby and took all of my business. They sell everything I make, only it's mass produced, and cheaper." A tiny scowl took her face for a moment. Those customers didn't know what they were missing... There was no emotion put into those factory made pieces of junk! No matter. It wasn't polite to complain.

"Anyways," she continued carefully, "I'm planning to set up shop here in Ponyville, sometime soon. I have enough money to keep myself going in the hotel for a few weeks while I find a good location."

"Well," Sparkdust said thoughtfully, "I'm hiring, if you need a little pocket change between now and then. I know you're an early bird, so the hours would be great for you. I'd just need you to look cute and bring customers their food, and you've already got the first part down.

Cricket's bell jingled as she perked up with excitement. "That would be wonderful, Sparky!" She grinned and hugged her friend again, an affectionate gesture Spark knew she reserved for those she trusted. Spark returned the hug, smiling as well at the prospect of having company around the shop.