[Canterlot] J&C; Carolling On (open to all)

[CherryRie]

The Jam&Cream: Carolling On

Morning light crept across the sweet powdery hill, its golden rays curving in odd crisp shapes in a reflective dance across impossible steel walls. From beyond the curve of the bole, a single note drawn from the breast of a cello rose to fill every space, shaking loose boulders from the gradual slopes of the mountain. As the Obo joined its stringed cousin, five pail orbs peaked over the rim, suspended in the gentle yellow aura. With a crash of orchestral might the ovoids split, spilling their liquid contents into the grasp of the sultry glow. A spin of brass and the orange centres separated themselves from their jelly like cocoon, falling like enormous stars to the surface of the sugar coated world. Beyond the chrome walls a swell of milk passed the retreating egg white, spinning and tumbling in the harmonic thrall, whisked mid air into a frothy cream. Descending upon the crash of symbols the unblemished hills of Sugar Mountain were swept away, pulled into a palpitating ribbon of ingredients within the confines of the rapidly filling bole.

Sloshing and folding upon itself, the heavy mixture leapt from its prison on a wind of flutes, aglow with the familiar energy that had guided it thus far. Reaching its destination, the twisting mass cascaded into the boiling pot of sweet strawberries upon the hob, sweeping them up on the building crescendo. Within the embrace of the masterful artist, the ribbon danced in thin trails around a silent equine figure, her mane a bluster with the sudden blast of frigid winds encircling her creation. Winter descended the small room, welcoming the spun web of ingredients.

And in the swell of the final cord, five carefully arranged tubs received a filling of sweet delight, their lids clamping down to seal away the frozen contents from the world, awaiting the call of happy ponies.

Silence descended once more on the kitchen of the Jam & Cream. With a smile that brightened the world around her, Maple Scoops relinquished her charge of the latest batch of ice cream and turned her attention briefly to the grammar phone on the far counter. If there was one thing that ruined a perfect concerto, it was the scratch of the needle reaching the end of its track. The old thing had been an ‘opening-day’ gift from her work colleagues. ‘Old work colleagues,’ she mentally corrected, having not worked in any kitchen other than her own for going on three months.

Four weeks had passed since the grand opening of the J&C, premier ice cream bar for the student district of Canterlot, and business had been trotting along at a manageable pace. True there had been the occasional disaster and financial setbacks abound, but they had made it through in the end.

Work on converting the old firebarn had progressed steadily and, while they had to open the bar separately for income, with any luck the restaurant side of the business would be open before Hearth Warming. At least it’d better be, considering they were taking bookings already.

Placing the five containers into the long icebox, the cream coated unicorn trotted out into the serving area and gave the seating a last once over. Rhythmic hammering of a single diligent worker issued from within the cavernous barn next door, along with the rich voice of a stallion singing a Hearth Warming carol. For a moment, the mare stood and listened, humming in harmony as her magic reached out for the two signs by the elegant front windows.

Time to open the doors.

“Sweetie,” She called up the spiral stairs that lead to the offices and apartment above the bar, “I’m going to open up.”

Trusting that her voice had carried, Maple’s glowing aura grasped the bolts across the front door and pulled one of the twined portals aside. Brilliant warm daylight flooded into the Jam and Cream along with the frigid winter breeze.

Two the signs clacked open and were set down upon the cobbles. One read Jam and Cream, Open, Hot pancakes and Hay fries. The other was a black chalk board with a more up to date advertisement; The big barn Bash! HearthWarming grand opening. Live music and open juicebar. Book your table now!

Across the street, sat near the cliff railings, a young Pegasus had watching her work and now trotted up to great the cafe owner. This was odd. Usually customers didn’t start arriving until closer mid day, when hungry students were released from morning lectures in search of hot hay and cinnamon pancakes. But the filly that stood on their doorstep now didn’t look like the classical Canterlot college apprentice.

“Hello dear! You’re here early, we’re only just opening for the day. Eager to get some pancakes for breakfast?”

Straitening a stray lock of light pink mane, the white filly cleared her throat and smiled shyly at the steam on her breath “Umm, do you sell hot chocolate?”

Maple chuckled and trotted back into the cafe and ducked behind the counter, hearing the door close behind her as the filly followed her inside. Horn aglow, the unicorn fished out a tall mug from the shelf and set the water heater running, watching as the filly took up station on one of the large been bags by the window. Customers should be trickling in soon, so it was worth getting the kettle and hobs running properly.

[Neoniie]

Quantum Flux trotted down the familiar stone streets of student district. Since taking up apprenticeship under her mentor Torvus, Flux had been busy with her studies & experiments and had neglecting revisting the district that had been her former home. However, her search for a certain book had lead her back to the Canterlot University's library. She had planned on making it a short trip, but caught up in nostalgia, the scientist pony decided to have a look around. There had been quite a bit of development since Flux had lived here and she enjoyed looking at the differences between her memories and the present.

As she turned a corner into the streets that were usually lined with shops and eaterys, a small store front caught her eye. Jam and Cream, she thought, running the name through her mind. I don't believe I've seen this particular shop before. Trotting closer to the window display, she read the information signs. Hmm, I did neglect having breakfast before leaving and I doubt Torvus would mind me being out for a bit longer. Celestia knows, he's probably still asleep.

Making her decision, Flux stepped up to the twin doors of the Jam & Cream, pushing them open tentatively with a magical glow. The sign declared that the shop was indeed open, but the lack of customers made Flux question whether it truly was. Spotting a pegasus pony sitting by the window, she dismissed such silly worries. "Hello?" she said, a note of timidness still in her voice.

[Pony_Sage]

That morning when Sweet Symphony had rolled out of bed he hoped with all his might that the shop would be more busy today than the last few days. After getting a glass of water and settling down behind a wobbly oak desk in the upstairs office of the Jam and Cream. As he started to do comb over the bills and statements the table lurched to one side, causing his pen to streak across the paper he was signing. With a soft sigh and a puff from his lips, to blow a lock of hair out of his face, he bent down to take a look at the problem. The old firebarn had its charm and beauty, but it also had its problems, none of which could not be fixed with a little elbow grease. Upon inspection he noticed that one of the legs of the table was shorter than the others, causing it to rock from side to side. Sweet deftly levitated over an envelope and folded it in half a few times. Wedging it underneath the shorter leg he stood up again and tested the table.

“Much better.” he mumbled to himself as the table did not shift when he pressed his weight down upon it.

He sat back down and continued to look over the bills, paying them when he could. Tedium was not always a bad thing, it affords one time to think about the grand picture, time to get things straight. Sweet was lost in thought when his wife's voice broke into his little world.

“Sweetie . . . I am going to open up.” Resonated up the stairs of the now less ramshackle barn and into the office. It took him a moment to register that he was being spoken to, lost in thought as he was.

“Yes dear, just be sure to put the signs out and make sure that the workers do not try to sneak off with some ice-cream again.” He answered loudly enough to be heard.

Looking back down at the bills he scowled for a moment, he had opened this shop to get away from the politics and bureaucracy of his last life, but somehow it always managed to find him. Paying the last few bills he marked down the damage in the ledger. They were behind, but surprisingly enough, not that far behind. One or two very good days of sales would be able to put them back into the black right quick. Hopefully the new celebration that Scoops had come up with would bring in the pony folk from all of Canterlot.

Sweet stacked the pills into the paid bin and tidied up the desk. Once everything was all squared away and neat he decided to trot down to the barn proper and take a look at what was going on. Hoof beats could be heard as he clip clopped down the stairs into the barn's main room. This was to be the restaurant side of the business, but was still under a bit on construction. At least one worker had shown up today and was hammering away at something up in the rafters. Before going into the Ice-Cream shop he surveyed the grand room. It was a sight to behold, and to think that a few months prior he and his lovely wife had almost fallen through the floor. Now it was wonderful old stock rough hewn pitch pine, which gave the entire room a rustic home like feel.

A new voice chimed in just as Sweet was going to open the door into the shop.

“Hello?” it called out in a rather timid tone.

Sweet took the opportunity to stride into the shop with a light smile on his face and greet the customer, or rather customers he thought as he noticed the Pegasus sitting by the window. He looked over to his wife behind the counter and gave her a warm smile before taking his apron and tying it behind his neck.

In a melodic yet practiced tone he spoke to the newcomers, “Welcome to the Jam and Cream! Please excuse our appearance at the moment, we are undergoing some renovations. Please take a seat anywhere you like, and feel free to give a hollar if you need anything. Would you like a menu, or a glass of water?”

This was a service industry after all and Sweet was here to serve these ponies some home made food and hospitality.

[Neoniie]

(I apologize for posting out of order, but I figured it would be weird to have Flux just standing at the door after Sweet Symphony's question.)

Flux was surprised slightly by the sudden appearance of a charcoal stallion. In a clear, practiced voice he spoke, “Welcome to the Jam and Cream! Please excuse our appearance at the moment, we are undergoing some renovations. Please take a seat anywhere you like, and feel free to give a hollar if you need anything. Would you like a menu, or a glass of water?”

The white mare considered the offer quickly, scanning the shop for a seat. "I wouldn't mind a menu," she decided, much of her usual confidence returning to her voice. Flux strode the rest of the way into the store and elected to sit by a window that gave a wide view of the street outside. Unfurling her scarf and placing it into her saddlebag, she cast her gaze pensively to the lightly snow-dusted streets outside. A detail of the stallions welcome floated to the front of her mind. Renovations? Perhaps they are a relatively new establishment after all.

Allowing her thoughts to wander toward her more recent experiments, Flux hummed absentmindedly, producing a tune sung to her by her mother as a child. I must be getting sentimental, revisting this section of the city, Flux thought. She shook her head slightly at the thought, but kept a smile on her muzzle. Flux wondered breifly who the pegasus was, but the thought vanished as quickly as it appeared.

[CherryRie]

Behind the counter a roiling cloud of steam fountained up from the bubbling milk kettle. Frothy hot chocolate filled the large white mug, joined in short order by a topping of whipped cream and baby marshmallows. Satisfied with the effect, Maple lifted the mug in her magic and trotted happily onto the café floor. Barely breaking step, the unicorn plucked a bunch of thin paper menus from their stand, proffering one to their latest arrival.

“There we are dear, and your Coco Ma’am.”

With an appreciative grin, the slight Pegasus licked a glob of cream from the summit of the treat. Smiling gleefully, she lifted a snow white wing to retrieve four bits from her saddle pouch.

As Maple made her way back to the counter she took care to place on of the hoof made menus onto each fetlock high table. While each sported the same logo; a saxophone with two dollops of dipping ice cream in its horn, every menu had been decorated slightly differently. This was down to both proprietors making them by hoof rather than shelling out for immaculately printed copies like most fancy establishments. They were an interesting little addition to the overall quaintness of the café.

Just then a face appeared at the double doors connecting the little café to the larger music hall. It was a scruffy looking but bright eyed workhorse whom had been their onsite carpenter for several weeks, fixing up the last few nuances to their pride and joy.

“Wotcha Maple!” Chirped the stallion, “Ah think we’re about done. Stage is ready an’ ‘ah just finished puddin’up t’em lanterns for ye’. Just needs an airing now before the big night!”

Maples eyes light up like fog lamps “Oh my, that’s wonderful, Dusky! Thank you so much!”

Dusky nodded and held his head high “All in a day’s work ma’am. Now I’ll be back after hearth warming to finish of those barrel racks in the cellar, but if there’s anything else you spot needs seeing too, just holler.”

‘Just in time too,’ Maple thought to herself, as the earth pony slung his tools and trotted out of the door ‘the grand opening’s supposed to be tonight!’

“Sweetie?” She sang, looking over to her apron clad partner and gesturing towards “Can we open our Hearth Warming gift early? After all, Obo should be arriving with those old instruments soon!”

[Pony_Sage]

Sweet smiled at the mare as she took her seat and Maple placed a menu in front of her. "Well, there you go. Now my name is Sweet Symphony so don't feel bashful and just call out to me or Maple over there when you find something to your liking on the menu." He chirped. This was Sweet's favorite time of year after all, not even the bills could get him down. He just loved all the cheer and good will, not to mention the candies! Especially since the open area of the barn had just been finished as the work stallion informed them, and the racks in the basement were the next on the list. This grand opening celebration bash festival would surely be a wonderful experience!

“Sweetie? ... Can we open our Hearth Warming gift early? After all, Obo should be arriving with those old instruments soon!” The coffee creme colored mare asked as Sweet made his way behind the counter to pour a glass of water for the menu reading mare. As he opened the spigot to pour the water her replied, "I don't see why not. Just remember to leave something to open in the evening, we wouldn't want to spoil all the fun now would we?" With the finish of his sentiment in a dry tone, he levitated the glass over to the counter. Slicing a lemon into wedges he stuck one on the corner of the glass and happily trotted over to the table where the alabaster mare with the red mane sat.

"Here you go Miss, have you found something that you like on the menu?" He asked setting the water down on the table. "That goes for you as well Miss." He called over to the pegasus sitting at the window seat.

[Neoniie]

Flux's gaze turned from the window at the sound of the stallion's voice. "Here you go Miss, have you found something that you like on the menu?" As the stallion spoke, he placed a glass of cold wtaer topped with a lemon before her.

"Yes, I believe I have. I would like an order of pancake, if you please." Flux took a sip of the water after her request, enjoying the slight chill of the beverage brought. She thought about the approaching holiday, wondering what sort of events the city would exhibit for both locals and tourists alike. She had heard that the pageant this year would feature 6 untrained actors who were personally invited by Princess Celestia herslef. The mare had no idea what had brought those ponies such renown by the royalty of Equestria, but she assumed anypony chosen by the Princess must be special in some manner.

The unicorn sighed under her breath, slighty disappointed that her family would be unable to spend the seasonal celebration with her. It had become a tradition of the small family, but this year roved to be far too busy for any of the three ponies to find time for the festivities. Flux supposed that she would have to attend the pageant alone, despite the discovery of her new pegasus friend. She continued to muse upon the situation in silence, sipping the drink occasionally.

[CherryRie]

“Wonderful choice, I’ll just go see to that.” Chirped the unicorn cook, opening the double doors to the next room as she trotted away into the kitchen.

Several minutes of serenity passed, the passage of time marked only by the occasional clang of pots and sizzle of batta from the hidden galley. A steady trickle of students were dropping in for morning coffee on their way to the collage. By the time Maple trotted out from the kitchen, a healthy queue of ponies had already begun to develop at the till. Crossing the cafe with the utmost care, set gently set a steaming plate down in front of Flux.

Fluffy golden pancakes stacked six high seeped the tantalising aroma of syrup and melted butter, turning several heads as the platter floated past to its intended customer. Crispy hay and fresh greens garnished the other edge of the plate, completing a wholesome country meal. Unlike many of the snooty restaurants around the capitol, at the J&C ponies got what they paid for, in quality and quantity.

Turning to address the till, the rolling of cart wheels caught her attention. Just outside the cafe a long delivery cart had pulled up, its open top full to bursting with large oblong crates. At its front a grey unicorn unhitched himself from the pulling tack, put chocks brakes into place behind the cart’s wheals and shook himself in frustration. Clearly not used to the toils of the common labourer, the stallion wore a look of irritable haughtiness as he rearranged his ruffled smock and approached the front of the store

“Good morrow Madam,” he announced, accent so posh that he almost appeared to be yawning “Might I assume I have the pleasure of Mrs Maple Scoops? Filigree Twotone, proprietor of the Canterlot Theatre Hall. Afraid the janitorial staff have the day off, so I have been lumbered with the unsavoury task of pulling the cart.”

Lowering his snooty expression, the buck finally noticed Mr Symphony looking on with a knowing grin.

“By Jove! Symphony! How are you old bean?”

“Nice to meet you too, Mr Twotone.” Maple commented, rolling her eyes as she got back to addressing the ponies in need of service, thoughtfully shouting back to her mate“Try not to do yourself a mischief with those crates dear. Next please.”

A small cough interrupted the reunion of the old colleagues. The white Pegasus filly had finished her coco and was stood next to the two unicorn stallions, her eyes on the large cart outside "Ummm... Excuse me, sir. Do you want a hoof with those? They look heavy."

[Pony_Sage]

Sweet Symphony had been busying himself with sweeping up the shop and tidying things, as was his nature, while Maple made the pancakes that the mare who had walked in ordered. There was always something to sweep up or straighten and every little bit made the old ramshackle place look all the more like a real establishment where somepony could get some good food.

“I hope you like your meal Miss. Is there anything else that you need?” He posed the question to the white mare with the pancakes. After all one step in the road to getting customers to come back and refer friends is diligent service. An odd rather voice added to the commotion, it vaguely sounded familiar to Sweet but he couldn't place his hoof on it so he kept on straightening and helping the customers.

“By Jove! Symphony! How are you old bean?”

Sweet's attention was now drawn to this stallion, “Twotone? Is that you, you old curmudgeon? I thought that you were above establishments such as ours.” Sweet said with a sarcastic smirk as he gave a good hoofshake to the stallion. While doing so he got a good look at what exactly Twotone was doing here. “And manual labor none the less. My my my, how the mighty have fallen.” He said with a pause at the end before the two of them began to laugh together.

Apparently these two stallions knew each other previously most likely due to Sweet's extensive conducting and piano playing career, and they seemed to be rather good friends. “I see that you have met Maple my wife. It is so good to see you Tone, how are the foals?”

Wiping a small tear from the corner of his eye with the crook of his ankle, still winding down from laughing, Twotone replied, “Ah they grow up so fast, one day they are struggling to lift up a pencil with their magic, or just barely hovering above the ground. And the next they are helping you move the furniture and soaring through the skies of Equestria.”

Just as Twotone finished his sentiment a cough interrupted the pair of stallions, "Ummm... Excuse me, sir. Do you want a hoof with those? They look heavy." It was the white pegasus that had been looking pensively out of the bay window before.

“Well Miss, you seem to be right there are more than a few of those crates and if I'm not mistaken one of them is a rather old and out of tune upright piano. As a general rule I would say that you are a customer and that you would not need to help, but with all those boxes I'll take any helping hooves that I can get. Pleased to meet you Miss, I am Sweet Symphony. And thank you for offering to help, I am sure that we can come to an arrangement afterward.” Soon after Sweet and Twtone lazily trotted back towards the cart and began to root through the boxes of instruments to figure out what order they should be taken into the firebarn. Hopefully these would make the grand opening even grander!

[Neoniie]

“I hope you like your meal Miss. Is there anything else that you need?”

Quantum Flux looked up with a small start at the words of the stallion. She had been lost in her thoughts, as the unicorn was want to do when she was not occupied with a conversation or other such task that required her attention. She straightened up a bit as she looked down toward the pile of pancakes that had been placed in front of her. They looked almost like small, brown, disk-shaped pieces of cloud due to their fluffiness. "Not at all, thank you." She gave the stallion a small smile as he trotted off to assist other customers.

As she dug into her pancakes, which were probably the best she'd ever had, the mare overheard the conversation between the owners of the establishment and a grey stallion. She also noticed the white pegasus once again. With another tiny start, Flux found herself on her hooves as well. Though it had been reactionary, the mare could trace the impulse to its roots. The curtousy that her parents had ingrained into her as a young foal that was only overridden by her more manic phases. The snow-white unicorn made her way toward the pegasus and hesitated slightly. "I would like to offer my assistance as well." After a brief pause, she elaborated. "It would feel nothing less than rude to not offer, at the least."

[CherryRie]

From the cafe it had seemed that the cart had contained only a slim number of very large crates. However, now that she was up close the Pegasus could see that there were in fact a multitude of boxes and cases. Some were small enough for an earth pony to carry by the handle, others were long and had a suggestion of gravity about them. Each was meticulously labelled with both detailed High-equestrian writing and a logo depicting the condense. The filly goggled at the array of symbols, there much have been at least one of every instrument in equestria in the back of this cart! Drums, Hoof Boards, a Piano and even-

The filly let out an audible gasp “A wing harp! Whoa I’ve not seen one of these in years!”

Down the cobbled street, the two double doors took on a golden aura as magic took them in a firm grasp. There was a gentle creak as the two gently folded at their centres to reveal the floor of a large open plan dining room, two tears of tabled foor space looked out onto both the mountain view and the stage at the far back.

“Nifty! Looks as though we’re going that way then.” she commented as Flux approached Mr Symphony.

Stepped around the outside of the cart she approached the two with an air of the ever helpful “I can’t see why not, many hooves make light work. How should we handle these? I can fly the smaller one’s in easily, but I’m not sure how to shift that piano. Do you think you’re magic could to the trick?”