(Canterlot) Boxy's Boutique: Grand Opening! [OPEN]

[SonicRainboomGirl]

This was it. The day Heart-Shaped Box had dreamed of her entire life! She had finally raised the funds up to own her very own, one of a kind, personally owned, GORGEOUS Southern-Style boutique! And it was beautiful, positively beautiful! She'd dressed it up like her home in Dodge Junction, warm earthy colours decorating the walls and floors. Fake tumble-weeds were pinned to the counters and her big book of patterns was atop the table by the cash-register. She would be taking requests of all kinds, but Boxy's main asset was fancy attire. Dresses, wedding dresses, suits and tuxedos...

Heart-Shaped Box simply couldn't stop smiling! She almost wanted to cry, she was so excited to finally open the store! Deciding to turn on a tune, Boxy danced and sang along a little to keep up the energy swirling in her head.

"Don't ya know its gunna be...alrahght..."

Boxy sang, her southern accent ringing loud and clear. As the clock hit 8 AM, the early riser turned the sign on the door to "OPEN". Boxy's Boutique was officially a thing! Now all she had to do was wait for the first customer.

[FermataTheBasse]

((May I have this RP? http://www.canterlot.com/topic/11053-penumbra-dewdrop-final/#entry257078))

A loud rapport resounded on the door of Heart's boutique. Three booming, uncontrolled knocks that may as well have been somepony taking a hammer to the storeowner's poor door. A curse then followed, and there was a rustling outside as if somepony was struggling to find her orientation there. It was a mare, definitely a mare, though the flow of words outside indicated she was anything but ladylike. Lighter taps began, the mare on the other side was searching for something on the door...

"Bluh. There it is, the bucking..." The curses continued unabated as Penumbra finally found the doorhandle. The mare who showed herself into the store was nothing short of a walking disaster. Her mane was obviously uncombed, spitting out at every angle physically possible with no style or rythym to their arrangement. Her eyes were bloodshot, purple irises nearly obscured by the number of inflamed veins running through the whitesof her eyes. She virtually stomped into the place, hooves clacking loudly against the floor as her eyes swept over the rustic decor without really taking in a single thing she was seeing. Penumbra looked like she had been off to a bad start that day. After all, she had actually started yesterday afternoon and hadn't slept a wink since. Her patience and discipline were reaching their limits.

And it wasn't helping that the proprietor was singing in a southern accent. Country accents didn't sit well with Penumbra, she found them irritating no matter how beautiful the voice of the stallion or mare otherwise. She forced herself to hold her tounge as she took Heart-Shaped Box in. She was here on business, not to make herself a nusiance. A hoof rubbed at her eyes as she put on her best cheerful tone, which sounded like it was being forced through the spaces between her teeth.

"Hello there mam'. You own this store, correct?"

[SonicRainboomGirl]

Heart-Shaped Box jumped as loud banging was heard at the door. She frowned, thinking back and wondering if the sign on her door explained that it was unlocked, no knocking or keys needed. Boxy's ears turned back in shock as curse words wrang out through her store. THAT certainly wasn't very polite! Boxy herself believed that swearing was something a pony should only do when a situation was particularily frustrating, abrasive, or difficult. And hearing the words fly from this mare's- it was mare, correct? Boxy could only hope so- mouth made her feel uneasy. Weren't Canterlot residents supposed to be a bit higher in class?

As the dark blue pegasus tumbled into the store, Boxy tried her best to put on a smiling face and a cheerful demeanor. Luckily, her years of working in a Salt Bar had prepared her for that! Her singing stopped abruptly, and she grinned at the newcomer. No matter how strange a pony looked, Boxy was always willing to make new friends! Even if this new friend cursed and seemed awfully disheveled. Hopefully she wouldn't be condescending.

"Well howdy do there! Yes, Ah am th' owner of this fahne lil' establishment. What can Ah do fer ya?"

[Volt]

~Unity Ring~

The City of Canterlot was at its best road to coming back to life after yet another gentle night. Yet, some streets were already swarming with various ponies, heading in directions known only to them. Most of them were in rush, but there were few who felt that haste isn't their priority target at this time. One of them, a young, purple unicorn headed down the alleys with a speed that would embarrass even a crippled snail. One couldn't say he was tired... Tired ponies usually aren't looking as distinguished in such an early morning as he did. It was more than obvious that this particular stallion took care of his appearance wherever, or whenever, he leaved his place. His mane and tail were well-kept and in complete order, same you'd say about his pelt. The only thing that stood out in the crowd was a plain, violet vest he worn. For an outsider, it would look like this concrete stallion was drowning in deep thoughts...

As Unity passed through countless, white Canterlot structures, he kept wondering about his own shop. He had a delay, its construction and decorations were supposed to be finished long time ago, but some incompetent stallions completely ignored his requests and worked on their own. "Unthinkable! Strictly inexcusable!" - were the words that currently bounced inside stallion's head. Unicorn kept bumming around the street, allowing the stream of ponies to bypass him. Though he was in deep thoughts, his face still looked quite young. Yet, judging from his behavior and gestures if observed for longer, one would say he was a worldly pony, experienced with the savoir-vivre. "I was supposed to be in Ponyville long time ago already, yet I'm stuck here for longer now..." - he muttered to nopony in general.

His complaints would probably continue, if he wouldn't hear a ramming to the door in a distance not far away. After regaining his senses, Unity finally noticed that a building to his right stands out from others. It seemed as he had finally found a way to kill some time and set his eyes upon something less irritating. "Boxy's Boutique" he read as he approached it. He might have sworn some kind of loud sound brought him here, but there was nothing interesting in sight. Except the shop of course. It had some catchy decorations and, what bucked Unity even more, there was a chance for him to gain his official suit at last.

He pushed the door and entered through the doorstep without hesitation. It took him just a split of second to get used to different light strength inside and notice two mares standing inside already. Unicorn quickly assumed one's the owner and other one a customer, as he bowed gracefully following it with a simple greeting. Unity seemed too preoccupied in searching for some example suits to pay greater attention to the mares for now. He took first step aside, in search for a design fitting his needs. Perhaps during this time the second customer would disappear already? Who knows.

[SonicRainboomGirl]

Boxy was really starting to get excited. Two customers already?! That meant two designs to sew! If, of course, a purchase was made. Reminding herself once again not to be too over the top (she was always so chatty and dramatic. That used to scare her customers senseless), Boxy shook her head and waved non-chalantly at the newcomer.

"Howdy, an' welcome! Let me know if ya need anythin'."

She greeted, turning back to her first customer once again. She had to be a lady today, a real member of the elite.

[FermataTheBasse]

Penumbra shut her eyes involuntarily, as if she could somehow ward off Heart's accent by doing so. She gulped down a calming breath, and noted with some concern that her eyes were beginning to cross when she opened them again. Why the heck had she chosen this hour of all hours to go shopping for threads? Penumbra tried to chaste herself internally, but found that she was too tired to do so and that the words were slipping out.

"Stupid filly doesn't know when to sleep..."

Penumbra slapped a hoof over her mouth and blushed, as if she had burped in formal company. She coughed slightly, and thanked Celestia when stallion trotted into the store. At least she wouldn't have Heart's undivided attention now. She could possibly get her clothes and get out without embarassing herself any further... Wait, why the heck was she still looking at her? Somehow, the second customer seemed to be outside of her notice for the moment. Horseapples. Penumbra coughed louder this time, and noted with some more worry that she was actually beginning to cough for real. Perhaps her exhaustion was leading her to come down with something?

"I- cough- I'd like to commission a dress- cough- not too formal but snappy enough for- cough- getting through club lines. Do you have any- cough- recommendations?" Penumbra burst into a coughing fit after she finished speaking, though she waved a hoof at Heart to indicate that she needn't worry.

[Volt]

[OOC: Sonic? I couldn't find your app for this char, where's it gone o.o'?]

The shop itself was undoubtedly magnificent. An exquisite choice of colors, melting together into a sight one can truly admire without greater doubts. Subtle game of shadows... and, naturally, well chosen furniture. Unity wondered why his employees couldn't reach the same effect with his shop, even though he gave them strict and simple directions how to do it. Yet, he managed to place only few steps before he heard a voice addressing him. A voice, with a noteworthy accent. Unicorn rarely had a chance to hear it, but he knew it's typical for the southern parts of Equestria. He had no idea which parts though. As he turned towards the source and removed a coil of his mane from his eyes, he saw a youngly looking mare, elegantly dressed and emanating with energy. Stallion wondered if everypony in southern parts take care of themselves like this. Yet, he needed to give a response, or at least he felt compelled to:

"But of course. I'll just take a quick glance around this charming place, if you excuse though." - he threw with a calm, clear voice and returned to 'sightseeing' the shop afterward. Her accent and direct approach caught him off guard, what influenced his words to be more direct as well undoubtedly. Unity had a feeling that he lately met only foreigners in Canterlot... He took a look at few exemplar suits in the store and switched his sight at his favorite vest. "Sweet Celestia... I can't just walk around Canterlot in clothes like these... It's a social disaster, I nee~" - his contemplations were interrupted by a strange sound, which pierced through his head. He pointed his ears up and turned attention towards the second mare.

It was a surprise for him to see how awfully she looks. Unicorn wondered how couldn't he notice that little... 'detail', earlier. Canterlot wasn't a place for ones like her, the chances were that she'd meet only disregard and humiliation, knowing most of the elites here. As coughing continued, he intuitively raised a hoof in defensive gesture and stepped back slightly. He had no intentions of judging anypony, but seeing a contrast between the owner and the customer forced him to form some negative opinions already. Stallion turned towards the southern mare, throwing her a helpless look: "Is she alright?" - last thing unicorn needed right now was catching cold... or Celestia knows what else.

[FermataTheBasse]

Penumbra managed to get her coughing fit under control, though it tired her out and she was now breathing rather heavily. Well, she was essentially tired in the first place, so she supposed that it was only logical that she had little energy left. The mare turned an eye around the store while she waited for Heart's opinion, and she saw... some stallion behind her, hoof raised. His stance seemed leery, as if he was disturbed by whatever he was looking at... it took Penumbra a few seconds to realize that the pony he was staring at was herself. The moment she realized that, her sleep deprived mind jumped to the worst possibility more or less immediately.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What the hay are you looking at, huh?" She took an aggressive step towards Unity... then she promptly lost her balance and fell flat on her face with a grunt.

[SonicRainboomGirl]

Boxy was panicked, absolutely panicked! Her first customer had just dropped to the floor, hopefully just passed out. But, what if she was dead? What if she had some kind of fatal concussion, and it was all on Boxy's head. IT WAS HER FIRST DAY IN THE SHOP! Boxy quickly ran to get an ice packet, pulling one nimbly from the freezer and running back to Penumbra. It was in her mouth, turning her lips blue, but it was all worth it. Until...

Boxy found herself tumbling forwards, one hoof caught on a wrack. As the ice pack flew from her mouth, she watched in dismay as it hit another customer squarely in the jaw. Quickly stumbling back to her hooves, the disgruntled mare shouted out,

"OH MAH CELESTIA!! IS EVERYPONY OKAY?"

[FermataTheBasse]

"I'm fine, I'm fine! No need to be so loud!" Penumbra held both hooves to her head with annoyance, her ears ringing from Heart's shouting. Penumbra shook her head in an attempt to clear her ears of the annoying noise- it didn't really help- and she uneasily made her way up from the floor onto all four hooves. A quick appraisal of the store gave her some positive news: the stallion had been brained by an ice pack somehow. Penumbra smiled a little at that, then turned back to Heart and addressed her as if nothing had just happened.

"So... the dress. Any thoughts?" Penumbra's ears still hadn't stopped ringing, she batted the side of her head with a hoof, trying to drive the noise away as if it were a fly.

[Volt]

The coughing continued for few more seconds until it finally stopped. Poor mare seemed to be in even worse condition than she was after Unity saw her first time. It was quite an achievement, considering only few seconds passed between those two facts. Under typical circumstances, he wouldn't even spare a bit of his time to attend and solve this issue. But what happened next forced him not to remain neutral. Starting from the fact that the mare mentioned earlier finally noticed him... And it was quite incomprehensible that she... threatened him? Obviously, she did! Her words and gestures both were proving that. Unicorn wondered if she knows that she's in a city full of guards. Canterlot never slept, it would be enough to go outside, since he was close to the doors, and notify first encountered guard about the situation. But before stallion managed to pick any decision, she faltered and finished laying on the ground.

Unity tried to solve this puzzle in his mind, unsure what to do. Should he go and help her? But after all she threatened him. Perhaps something happened to her and her health was in danger? But on the other hoof, he wasn't a medic nor didn't know what to expect of somepony like her... Finally, he just shook his head, coming to a conclusion that it's not his shop and his problem. As a confirmation to his thoughts, the owner mare came running with a bag of ice. To be honest, Unity didn't even notice when she disappeared. He was probably a bit shocked with words he heard from that miserable mare laying on the floor. Yet, not everything went as planned. Later on, stallion remembered the following: 'Owner, most probably "Boxy" as stated in the shop's name, was in such a rush that she lost control of her hooves; The bag of ice launched from her mouth in funny direction; Stallion noticed it flying directly at him; As he goggled at it, he remember his past, and how he never was known of his reflexes, even in scho-; Impact.'

The force with which bag hit him caused him to stagger, as it landed directly on his jaws. He couldn't recall much about what was happening around him that moment, as he was too occupied with trying to regain full consciousness. He heard a shout, but didn't recognize the words at all. Massaging his jaw, he finally managed to return to his senses, still staring at the floor in front of him. Finally, raising his head, he frowned in sudden anger. "Unbelievable! Is this some kind of mockery?" - he started with a sharp voice - "Is this how you treat customers, miss? First allow them to be a victim, being threatened by a pathetic mare of questionable morals, and later finish them off yourself?" - saying these words, he wondered what made him enter the shop in the first place. Perhaps it was a mistake. But he was about to repair it... "The Royal City is overfilled with shops like these, I obviously should have picked one of higher quality." - he threw, as he took first, heavy steps towards the doors. Usually, he wouldn't anger that much, but he had some poor days lately quarreling with the decorations crew and reaching the deadline, at which he should open his shop already. He wasn't in need of any kinds of humiliation or unpleasant surprises anymore.

[SonicRainboomGirl]

Heart-Shaped Box watched in absolute horror as her customers spiraled out of control. Her first customer, who was very unpleasant indeed, whined at her to be quiet. How rude! It was Boxy's very own shop, not anypony else's shop, and she could be as loud as she wished! And not only that, this mare had the audacity to grin like a fool as she noticed Customer Number 2 had been hit with an ice pack. How inappropriate! How could a mare so socially vile end up anyplace in Canterlot?

Boxy looked the mare over, and she really did look awfully ragged. It filled her heart with sadness to see a pony so tired, so grumpy, so utterly sensitive and incredibly fashionless. Things needed to change, things needed to change immediately!

Her first day really hadn't gone as planned at all. If every day was so incredibly difficult, Boxy knew she'd be gone in a flash, back to Dodge Junction in a Salt Bar! She was already in debt, and had already lost a customer! Or had she? What was the proper way to deal with a situation so frustrating? The stallion seemed more of Boxy's speed, had been nothing but proper and polite. And in a tragic accident, she hit him squarely with a heavy ice pack! She was completely at fault! No wonder he was so upset!

Humiliated, but still trying to remain control, Boxy decided to take action. She lowered her voice, repeating again and again in her mind "the customer is always right". Even if this customer was wrong, she was right.

"Sir, ma'am, please hold on just'a moment here."

Boxy turned to look at the stallion before her, trying not to sound desperate.

"Ah surely dint' mean ta hit ya on the jaw with that ice pack, Ah'm no malicious murderer, Ah'm jus' a simple mare who loves desahn. Now, you are completely in the raht, and if ya leave now Ah understand. However, Ah can put ya in to'a ravishin' new suit in no tahm-free of charge. Here at Boxy's Boutique the customer is always raht, and Ah'd like to prove t' ya that Ah really stand by this. The customers in mah shop should feel lahk royalty, not criminals!"

Boxy then turned to that aggravating pegasus mare. She'd really have to buckle up and bite her tongue when speaking to her.

"Ma'am, we all have bad days. But somethin' seems really off with ya, and Ah'd like to help if you'd let me. However, Ah don't take kahndly to customers threat'nin' other customers. This stallion has every raht to be here, jus' lahk you."

[FermataTheBasse]

"He does indeed..." Penumbra said as much with a strange expression, wistful, in a way. "I guess I'm jumping to conclusions quickly, though... though..." Well there went her train of thought again. What was she going to say? Why was she here, again?

...

Oh, that was right. After a long pause Penumbra turned her bloodshot eyes towards Unity, nodding her head in deference to the stallion she had wronged. Sort of. Not really. Canterlot ponies were so easy to offend anyways. Wait, why was she apologizing again? What had she done that warranted the need for apology? Penumbra stared vacantly for a few moments before it clicked into place again. She was really tired and out of sorts, and even if she couldn't remember how, she had probably dug herself a pretty big hole with the mare and stallion sharing the store with her. She had to at least apologize for it, no matter what it had been.

"I'm sorry, to both of you... Whatever I did..." Penumbra lapsed for a moment, her eyes tracing circles in the air as if following the flight of butterflies around her head. "...Whatever I did, I didn't mean... I had a long night... and day before that night..." Penumbra tried to calculate the amount of hours she'd been up, found that she didn't have the mental energy to, and just blurted out:

"I haven't slept for at least a full day."

[Volt]

Deepest apologies, but I have to attend to an upcoming wedding tomorrow and, as you can guess, along with work it keeps me fairly busy allowing me only to drop here for 5 minutes approximatively on a daily basis.

The well-kept mane swung aside as Unity perked and headed towards the doors. But it was not destined for him to reach it. The southern accent reached his ears once again and it would be at least of an offense to ignore the words. Stallion stopped, and glanced back at the owner as she spoke. As her words reached him, he felt hesitation crawling up his spine. She was nothing more than mild-mannered mare, and he just jumped on her for no obvious reason, for a simple accident. Moreover, she was quite a speaker, wasn't she? Connected with that southern accent... "I could have sworn I've heard that accent lately..." - jumped into unicorn's mind. He searched the corners of his memories to finally dig out a name: "Shiny Nickel... no no, it was Nickel Shine! Of course... that little one... did she just mention a suit free of charge?" - he couldn't have missed that one. Unity pinched his lip, undertaking an expression of pity and concentration. Suits weren't that cheap service, were they? It would certainly fix his budget at least a bit. But, on the other hoof, he was a sole proprietor of a shop himself. They weren't competitors... And she seemed quite determined to please her customers as well... just like him. Funny to say, as long as her actions so far didn't address him, her attitude and words did.

He allowed himself to drift away unfortunately, and didn't hear what the second mare said before she turned towards him. Unity's face went blank, not sure what to expect of her this time. Therefore he wasn't prepared for words flowing from her, which with connection to his mood, improved by owner's speech, made him slow down and reflect for a bit. Now when he thought of that, there was a possibility that the mare was simply tired. If he was on his hooves for an extended period of time, he would probably look the same as her... no, wait... maybe a bit better, he was after all extremely careful when it came to his appearance. In some areas... Stallion sighed heavily and massaged his forehead just under his horn.

"Cease it. I shall just pretend nothing happened." - apologies seemed to work on him - "We all tend to have abysmal days or nights. Or both..." - he added, nodding towards the cobalt mare - "Or even short moments, as I have just proved myself. Please, proceed with your actions." - he was about to return to contemplate the interior, when he decided to say one last thing. It was a tough decision though, as it worked against his economical tendencies. Unity stabbed the air with hoof in a gesture of pointing at the owner - "And you, my dear. Forfeit the idea of your free services. I've entered a shop, not a homeless shelter, therefore what I expect is professionalism and deals, not gifts." - he finished, maintaining a bitter face, before he turned back to enter the depths of the shop once more.