SunsetFyre Chapter 2

SunsetFyre Chapter Deux

Sunset Rose was not a morning person, not at all. Usually, she would have just overslept until the afternoon but after getting an apprenticeship at the Lucky Press Book Bindery, she had to wake up at 6:00 every morning, including weekends. She grumbled slightly as the first rays of Celestia's sun hit her face. With a groan, she lifted herself from her bed and made her way to the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw that her titian mane and tail were frazzled and messy. Sunset also saw bags forming under her eyes. Not only that, but she could also see that her horn was starting to get dirty.

"By Celestia, I look terrible" Sunset said to herself, "I should probably take a shower before going to work." She got into her shower and turned the hot water valve. The feel of the hot water falling on her weary body felt like heaven to Rose as she cleaned her messy mane. She would have stayed there for hours but she remembered that she still had to go to work. She dried herself and then combed her mane and tail with her favorite brush. Sunset then levitated her spectacle from the nightstand and placed it upon her snout. After taking a quick glance at her clock, she decided that she had enough time for breakfast.

Rose made her way to the kitchen where she went to work fixing herself something to eat.  She decided on a simple hay sandwich with a bit of lettuce. Usually, she would eat her breakfast with a glass (or maybe two glasses) of wine, but today she decided to try something different. She used her magic to open the cupboard above the sink and she levitated a metal tin towards her. She opened the tin and saw that it was filled with a strange brown mixture that had a very strong scent. She had recently bought this weird mixture from a zebra merchant in the Canterlot Marketplace. The zebra called it, "coffee" and said that it could rejuvenate the body and soul. All Rose had to do was to boil some water and pour two spoonfuls of this "coffee" stuff into the water.

After preparing the strange concoction, she poured a little bit into a small teacup in order to taste it. The drink tasted bitter and sour, but she felt as if she had been hit with a burst of newfound energy. She decided to pour herself a bit more, but this time she added a little bit of cream and a couple lumps of sugar. The coffee tasted much better and soon, she felt much more awake than she was when she first got up. She was so enthralled by the magical drink that she completely lost track of time.

"Oh horseapples, I'm late!" Sunset said in a panicking voice. She quickly levitated her cup into the sink and galloped through door, completely forgetting to eat her sandwich. She closed the door to her apartment and made her way out of her building. As she reached the street, she decided to slow down her pace so as to not tire herself out. Sunset Rose began making her way to the bindery when she saw two mares embracing each other and kissing. She felt a feeling of happiness (and a pang of jealous) as she watched the two ponies walk into the building they were standing in front of to do Celestia knows what.

"Such a lucky couple" she sighed as she continued walking to her workplace, "it makes me wish I had some other mare to be with." Sunset Rose was always attracted to mares ever since she was but a filly. Her parents always tried to convince her that it was only a phase and for a time, she believed them. However, as she grew older, she started to ignore what her parents told until she finally left to go to the Canterlot School of Magic. While she was studying there, she met an extremely attractive mare who seemed to
have feelings for Rose. It turned out, however, that she was not really in love with Sunset and was only interested in getting "carnal knowledge" from her. When Sunset didn't give her what she wanted, she promptly left her without looking back. She was soon pulled out of her thoughts as she noticed that she had made it to the bindery.

"Morning, Mr. Short Print" Sunset Rose greeted her boss as she entered the shop, "sorry I'm late."

Short Print, the owner of the establishment, smiled at his apprentice despite her tardiness. He was a middle aged stallion with a light brown coat and a dark brown mane that was starting to turn gray with age. He was a nice pony, never really getting angry at Sunset whenever she messed up at her work.

"Oh, don't worry about it" He said, "It happens to all of us." He was putting the finishing touches on the cover of a book. "Sunset, how is the order we got yesterday coming along?" asked Short Print.

"I've already got the binding ready" Sunset answered as she slipped on her work apron, "I just have to finish the title on the front cover and it should be ready to go."

"Excellent, you sure are a very capable apprentice" complimented Short, "at this rate, we'll be able to finish up all of the requests we have by the end of the week."
Sunset was flattered by his compliment, "thank you, sir, but we all know you are the one who keeps things running here." Short Print laughed heartedly at Rose's comment.

"Come now Rose, no need for formality. This isn't the Royal Court, you know. You can just call me by my name" said Short Print.

"Ok, Short Print. By the way, how is your wife doing?" asked Sunset Rose.

"Ah, she's grand. She's out in the market buying food for supper" said Short Print, "how about you? How is your love life going?"

Sunset Rose sighed sadly, which was enough of an answer for Short. "Oh don't feel bad" said Short trying to cheer her up, "I'm sure you'll soon find that certain special mare." Sunset smiled at him, glad that her boss was such a caring pony, "Thank you, boss. That really helps" she said.

"Ach, I just remember, I have some errands to run out in the city" said Short Print, "Sunset, can you manage the store while I'm gone?"

"Don't worry, you can count on me" she said in a proud voice.

"Excellent, I won't be long. If any customers come in, be sure to take down their orders" said Short Print and he then made his way out of the store. Sunset began thinking about his comforting words about her finding that "special mare". She hoped that he was right and that she wouldn't end up a lonely old hag whose only company was a house full of cats.

She was about to go into the back room when she heard the sound of the front door opening, signaling the entrance of another customer.

"Hello, and welcome to the Lucky Press Book Bindery. How may I be of ser-", her greeting was soon cut short as set eyes on the most beautiful mare she had ever seen.