Day Two of Seven…

The afternoon sun is peeking from clouds that the weather team hasn't seen fit to clear. It's my understanding that a rainstorm is scheduled for later in the week, but not today. I don't feel any humidity, so rain isn't in the offing, but the clouds are low enough to force one to think about packing an umbrella. Midway and I are watching the clouds shift, waiting for the afternoon crowd to arrive. (Midway is my co-worker/boss at the Promenade.) It's just ten minutes to four in the afternoon, on a school day no less. Ponyville Elementary let's out at three-twenty. BY now, Button Mash, Snips, Snails, and even Featherweight should be here, plunking bit after bit in the arcade machines. So far, nothing. King of the Hill vibe kicking up in three… two… one…

I ask my boss, Midway, "Slow today, ain't it?"

"Yep." Midday replies, "Wonder what's keepin' 'em?"

"The clouds, I think." I say, "It's spring but the overcast is making it seem like late fall or early winter."

"Dagnabbit!" Midway exclaims, "Wasn't the forecast for sun, sun, and more sun?"

"That it was, Midway." I sigh, "I guess I'll give a check over the machines, just in case."

"Did you ever get the Whack-A-Mole game workin' again?" Midway asks.

"Yeah, pretty simple solution, really. The hydraulics were bled dry on the right side. I balanced them a little, bled some that were overcharged, too. Gave it a test play, seems good now."

Midway nods, "Well, I'm gonna grab a snack. Need anythin'?"

I reply, "I'll take some hayfries. Oh, and a tall soda. I didn't sleep so well last night."

"A nightmare?" asks Midway.

"Nah, just a crazy dream." I answer, "Nothing Princess Luna had to worry about."

Midway laments, "Too bad."

"Yeah, no kidding. I hear The Mare of the Night is quite the looker."

"Not like her sister…" Midway adds.

"Doesn't matter." I say, "My favorite color is blue."

Midway laughs, "Okay, Mister Man! How 'bout I get them snacks?"

"G.G., Mids. I'm going to walk the rounds. Don't forget the ketchup!"

"Yeah, yeah…" Midway answers, "That human and his ketchup…"

Midway is down the path leading to the market; I break off towards the arcade proper. A great of these games are simpler versions of stuff I played in the 1980's. I'm quietly surprised I don't see a version of Pac-Man around here. Though, from what I understand, trade between Equestria and Neighpon is rather limited. Huh, that's odd. I did the rounds ten minutes ago, purely out of boredom, and I don't remember this cabinet being here.

Hmm, I don't see a title on the machine itself. The controls are standard Equestrian… Hmm, that's odd. The screen shows a picture of Rainbow Dash. I don't see any jaggies… When did arcade rigs get graphics this sophisticated? Hmm, maybe I should make a quick playthorugh here. I always liked video games… I know I got a bit around here… Okay, I got it. Down it goes…

"My Little Dashie! A Celstiluna Production."

This from the mouth of the digitally animated Dash. Wow, these are some good graphics! And now for the introductory scenes…

"Come give us a kiss!"

What the-? HrrrgggghhHH! I have pony lips on my mouth. I HAVE PONY LIPS ON MY MOUTH!

"Plegh! Aw, geez- RAINBOW DASH!" I bellow.

"Hey there, handsome!" Rainbow Dash coos, "How do I do? Pretty good, right?"

"Dash…" I growl.

"I know, I know, there's no need to say it." Rainbow Dash crows, "I. Am. Awesome!"

Growling, I say, "That. Was. Not. Awesome."

"Huh?" The chromatic Pegasus gives me a worried look.

I explain to her, "I'm at work here, Dash. Also, I think I made pretty clear during Estrus Week that you and I aren't a thing."

"Aw, come on, hot stuff! You know you need this." Dash says, wiggling her plot almost directly in my face.

"What I need is a restraining order and a shotgun." I moan.

I tip the cabinet with Rainbow Dash still inside. She squeals in surprise as I drag the cabinet to the back of the arcade, where all the out-of-order" machines go.

"Besides, don't you have a job to do?" I question.

"You mean getting mounted by your bad self?" she croons.

"Uh, no!" I lift a finger to the clouds, "How about the sky, Rainbow Crash? It's been overcast most of the day!"

"Oh, please, I can clear that in ten seconds flat." she declares.

"You couldn't clear it in ten minutes, you doof!" I dare her.

"Oh, yeah?!" she asks threateningly.

"Yeah…" One part menace, one part challenge, add water, stir and serve.

"You're on!" she exclaims and takes off for the sky.

Wah! Dash just busted the cabinet! Ah, there we go, blessed sunlight! She's faster than I thought.

"See, what did I tell ya?" she asks, panting.

"You said ten seconds."

"See?" she beams.

"That was fifteen seconds ago." I whisper.

"What-?!" she exclaims.

"You lose!" I say, "It took you twelve seconds to clear the sky- Oh, here comes company. Well, Dash, it's been nice busting your rump, but now I got make sure some young colts don't go breaking the hardware. TeeTeeWhyEl!"

Oh, the look on Dash's face is PRICELESS!

A typical day in the Equestrian life of Steve.