[FIN] Through the Pumpkin Vine (Pumpkin Glow/Briar Patch)

[belloblossom]

Pumpkin Glow owned a bakery in Harvest Town. One of many, it specialized in pumpkin goods, but while other cafes or restaurants would specialize in pumpkin spice lattes or savory soups, The Pumpkin Chariot focused on baked goods. Pumpkin did most of the baking, with her specialty of all of her treats being pumpkin spice cookies that were cut and iced to look like tiny chariots, as befitting of the name. She worked long hours and only ever really rested after the store had closed. The building she owned was a two-story one. The first floor was modified to be the bakery, with a smaller back room to bring out more goodies when they ran out. From that back room led a staircase into the second floor, where Pumpkin's kitchen took up much of the space, leaving a small studio room as her bedroom. She didn't mind these accommodations, because her entire life revolved around baking.

She never met her customers face to face. Instead, she hired other earth and flightless ponies to act as her retail staff. Among the least magical of the breeds, as she understood it and so the lest suspectible to getting any magic drained if she ever had the need. Of course, even from her retail workers, she kept herself at a distance. To be born a Kelain was a truly isolating thing. She'd known that before her kin had revealed themselves to others, but while others may be able to socialize without fear, Pumpkin found that she was still inclined to hide to the shadows, away from others.

That evening, however, she was feeling a little braver. It had been a slow day and she'd sent her workers home early. She couldn't remember the last time she was downstairs during shop hours. No one had come in for forty-five minutes, so she'd begun to clean up and just call it an early day. The Chariot would be open again tomorrow. Besides, surely there wouldn't be any other customers in this late, not when it was such a slow day anyway, right?

But then, the bell above the door jingled, alerting her to the entrance of a customer and she turned, her gaze wide with alarm. Her hooves rooted to the ground and she stared for a moment, before forcing a smile.
"H-H-Hello, welcome to-to the Pumpkin Chariot! How c-can I help you?" She chimed to the newcomer.
@Moonie​

 

[Moonie]

Briar Patch was still home when the sun was starting to set. "Don't forget to pickup the pies! You should grab some of those cookies too! I've heard they were fantastic!" He was sitting back on his haunches so his mother could fuss with his main. She was much smaller than her was, so he tried to accommodate. He nodded as she went on with her list. He adored his mother but she didn't like to go out much. Creepy Doll, for lack of a better description, was creepy. She often ended up spooking others and she didnt have to the heart to scare anyone today.

He knew he wasn't normal and looked a little odd hinself. Which is why he waited for so long to head out. Other shops were starting to close for the evening and he appologized for any inconvenience but they always seemed to wait for him before flipping fhe sign 'closed'. His last stop was the bakery for pie and cookies. This should have been his first stop, but he couldnt trust himself with cookies for too long. With the scent of pumpkin goodies to be his guide, he slipped in and was face to face with a Keilan.

The spirits that followed him all swirled around him and hid from the sudden appearance of the other. Even he flinched a bit. "I-I uh..." He shook his head. "Sorry." He shuffled a bit and looked away to hide a blush of embarrassment. "Pie?" Why was he being weird... "Please.... and cookies as well. I've heard they're the best." He nodded. His sweet tooth was starting to get a hold of him. The scent of pumpkin spice radiated from the other. "You smell good... uh it smells good in here." He normally didnt have to do this much talking. He would grab stuff pay and leave... but he was taught it was rude to ignore others when they talk to you.

 

[belloblossom]

Pumpkin Glow had to take a moment to compose herself in the face of the stallion. He didn't look especially magical, per say and her gem had been full for days anyway. She was in good health so the notion of drawing magic from the area shouldn't be a concern, and yet... She took a few steps back and then darted around the counter.

"You said, um, pies, right?" She checked the counter. "We've got two left. One pumpkin and one cinnamon and butterscotch. It's less, um, traditional, but I promise it's still tasty." She wasn't much of a salespony. "You're lucky it's been a slow day, you know. Usually I'm told we sell out of our chariot cookies. I imagine those were the ones you meant, but we've got pumpkin chip, also, if those were the ones you meant instead." Talking about her baked goods was easier once she got into the swing of it. She just had to not make eye-contact, try to focus on her breathing and not the worry about her gem draining any magic from the pony in front of her.

I'm not sick and I'm not hurt. I have no reason to drain magic from this pony. Calm down, Pumpkin. She told herself and took a slow breath. Her ears were red with the compliment he'd given her earlier. At least, she hoped it was a compliment.
"So, how much stuff do you want? We've got a fair amount of the cookies left..." She usually sold the day-old cookies at half price the day after. She took a deep breath and made a decision. "And since you're the last customer in today, I suspect, you can have them at half off their usual price." She offered. "Can't offer you a discount on the pies though, sorry about that." She said a little sheepishly.

"So, uh, what'll it be?" She asked again, trying not to fidget. @Moonie

 

[Moonie]

His eyes seemed to be glued on the other. He had never seen a Kelian before. Their Crystals shimmered and almost seemed to have a soft glow to them. His eyes slid away only at the mention of the goodies. "R-right. I guess I'm lucky then." He gave a sincere but awkard smile. He did a quick count of his bit and set them on the counter. "This should be enough. I'll take the rest... i-if thats ok?" If he was the last customer it should be.

He looked over the chariot cookies. "Did you bake all of these?" Given the variety of treats Briar was impressed. Even more so that their stock practically sold out every night. Even the cookies where impressive. "How do you expect us to eat these?" He looked over the iced details of the chariots. "They look too nice too eat." He was sure they tasted better than they looked. He swallowed to keep himself from drooling all over the display case.

He looked up from the counter to observe the Kelian. Was it him or did they seem fidgety? He really did not have room to talk. He was rather odd himself and often got uncomfortable when many ponies where around... but it was just the two of them. "What cam first? The Cookies or the name?" It was a silly question but he was curious and perhaps if the other talked more it would calm them.

@belloblossom

 

[belloblossom]

Glancing at the bits that were placed on the counter, she did the math in her head and slid two bits back to him.
"Yes, that'll do." She replied and moved to fetch the pies. "Do you have a way of carrying all this yourself, or would you like me to use one of our larger bags?" She inquired as she slid both pies off the shelves and onto the back counter as she began to fold the boxes she'd pack them away in carefully. Flicking her ears at the question she nodded. "Yes, that's right, well, mostly anyway. I came up with all the recipes you find here, or modified common ones so that they might taste better. Ponies seem to like them, as do I. Some of my workers do the icing and decoration of the cookies and a select few of my workers who come from baking backgrounds help me when the time calls for it... I do most of the baking, though." She concluded, realizing she'd been rambling.

Turning her head to look at the pony in dismay when he asked how he expected her to eat the cookies-did he find something wrong with them?-only to smile in evident relief with the follow-up.
"I'm pleased you think so, though I assure you they taste even better than they look." She replied, turning back around as she placed the pies in the boxes she'd folded. She sealed the box with a sticker that had a pumpkin shaped chariot against a gold foil sticker. It wasn't real gold, of course, but it added a pleasant look that she'd always liked simply looking at. Hopefully her customers thought so too, but she knew they didn't come for the stickers.

As she folded another, smaller box, she moved over to the counter again, reaching for the cookie tray on display. With the stallion's next question she smiled.
"Both, sort of. I got the name from a story my mother told me when I was a filly. I can't remember much of the story now, but at the end, the main character rode away in an enchanted chariot that pulled itself and was shaped like a pumpkin. The idea sounded so fantastical that I thought to make a cookie from the idea, only for my family to tell me 'This is so good you could sell it!'" She laughed a little at the memory, shaking her mane out of her eyes. "As you can see, I took their advice." She said with a smile.

This wasn't too bad, this socializing thing. Though she could never do what her workers did, chatting so readily among lines of customers. She sighed. One on one, that was better suited to her. She glanced over her shoulder. "I've never seen pets like those before," She remarked, eyeing the floaty things around the stallions head. "Are those some sub-breed of Wisp?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, before she began to package the cookies in the box she'd prepared. "Oh, and did you want the pumpkin chip cookies, or no?" She added, not recalling if he'd specified as much. @Moonie

 

[Moonie]

He listened to every word. He didn't mind her rambles. It was interesting enough to him. He usually had difficulty connecting with others and was happy to speak well... somewhat easily with another. "You know... I'm not really sure. They've been around for as long as i can remember. They are warm to the touch but not hot." He smiled at the wisps. They were kind of his friends at this points. He watched as one ventured close to the counter only to shoot right back as the other came around.

He nodded at her. "A large bag with be nice. Thanks." He gave a toothy smile then blushed. He always thought his smiles were too big and odd. He looked to the pumpkin cookies. "I... i shouldn't really." He chuckled as he shifted his weight. "I have a slight addiction to cookies." He felt his cheeks get warmer. "I'd be lying if i said these cookies would make it home in one piece." He knew he'd be shoving them into his gob as soon as he left the shop. Though he felt that the chariots definitely deserved a little more than that... giving how nice they looked.

"I don't think I could ever bake. The cookie batter wouldn't make it to the oven I'm afraid." He couldn't help but to smile. He know he was a cookie monster and this store was dangerous. "Honestly though
.. I'm very excited to try your cookies." He hoped she wouldn't mind him returning. It was rare to find pumpkin flavor things year round.

 

[belloblossom]

Pumpkin Glow glanced up when he admitted to not knowing what the little orbs around him were. She watched him, then watched the little Wisps, not fully feline but as close to that pet that she'd seen rather than anything else. Maybe they were something new altogether. When he went on to say that they were warm to the touch, but not hot, she was almost inclined to ask to touch one of them. But... no, that would be crossing a line between new customer and worker. She turned her gaze back to the food at hoof.

"Can do." She replied as she assembled the foodstuffs in a large bag, pulling it out of one drawer and doing a bit of a balancing act. The crystals in her wings shifted, rearranging themselves out of harms way. She didn't want to imagine what could happen if they ever bumped against something she was carrying. She didn't know what would happen to her package, or her wings, if that occurred and she certainly didn't want to try it out.

She nodded her head, only to get her hair in her face, which she then tossed back. She wouldn't have any hair in this package, no ma'am!
"No pumpkin chip cookies..." She glanced up to him with a small smile. "This time." It was good to hear that he had an addiction to cookies. Good for her business and good for whoever was this stallion's dentist.

"I assure you, batter doesn't taste nearly as good as the cookie itself. That said, savory goods have come out of baking too. Bread, for example or puff pastries. Though I don't dabble much in those treats." She remarked with a shrug. She placed the bag on the counter for him to pick up. "I look forward to hearing your review of them on your return visit. Though, erm..." She flicked her ears bashfully. "I don't usually come downstairs on business days, but if you ask one of my workers for me then I'll join you as soon as I can." She shuffled her legs. "Though... You may have better luck if you visit when there are less customers in the store." She admitted. Feeling a nervous rush, she moved to the counter, sliding on pumpkin chip cookie into a slender paper bag. She placed it on the counter. "That one's on me." She told him. "So, just ask for Pumpkin Glow and I'll, I'll hurry out when I can." She said, her cheeks looking more red than orange. @Moonie

 

[Moonie]

He watched her work with awe. She must have a lot of practice doing so. She likely had to watch out for her... wings? The lovely crystalline objects that resembled wings really held his attention. The shimmered when they hit the light in the right way. Needless to say he was transfixed. Her words brought him back to reality.

He perked up. "Y-Yes! I'd like that." He smiled sheepishly. "I'll try not to come in so late next time." He felt his heart excitedly skip in his chest. "Pumpkin Glow." He nodded. "Briar Patch... name. That is mine." He shook his head. Words didn't seem to work around Miss Glow. Was it the the excitement of cookies or something else. He glanced at a clock and jumped. "I should get going! I'm so sorry to keep you here so late. I'm sure you'd like to get home." He shuffled towards the door. "Thank you for assisting me." He scooped up the bag. "I'll see you soon? I do a the shopping for mom so... I'll be around."

On his way out of the shop he missed the clear exit and bumped into the frame of the door. "I'm okay!" With what little pride he had left he fixed himself and his groceries and scurried away. His head filled with the next time he would be able to buy more cookies. Though was he really there just for the cookies? He did enjoy the company of Pumpkin Glow, and would still even if she didn't have cookies! He was sure of that. He thought of ways he could ask her staff about her. Was it weird to ask for her by name? She did say he could. Before he could shake off the thoughts he was greeted by his mother, who helped him bring in the snacks. He already couldn't wait till next time.