An alarm rings, stirring our young protagonist from her slumber in her bed. The ivory tricorn sits up in bed and silences the ringing nuisance. She rubs the sleep from her eyes. A smile tugs on her lips as she inhales the aroma of food.

"Pancakes," Shade mumbles, cleaning the slobber from her mouth. She quickly jumps out of bed and runs down stairs.

When she barrels through the swinging door, the sunlight blinds her.

"Gah!" she interjects and covers her eyes as she tumbles back through the door.

Giggling makes her open her eyes.

"Sorry, Shadey-wadey. Good morning!" Pinkie chimes.

"Pinkie? What are you doing here?" Shade asks as she gets help standing up from her friend.

"What are you talking about? You left me a message to come over this morning yesterday."

"I did? What message?"

"The message that said you needed help with the store. When you were still asleep when I got here, I set your alarm and made pancakes!" Pinkie beams.

Shade looks around the store and notices brown boxes in piles around the shop. "Oh. Right. The new stuff mum sent over from her latest excavation."

"Breakfast isn't going to eat itself!" Pinkie pulls Shade along with her into the kitchen.

After a satisfying breakfast, Pinkie and Shade spend the next two hours organizing and setting up Shade's curio store. With new stock to sell, Shade opens the shop for business while Pinkie leaves to enjoy the rest of her day off.

Shade sits behind the counter listening to the grandfather clock metronome away the time. She stares at the door with fish eyes while resting her chin on a hoof. It is two and nopony had even looked through her windows let alone step through the door.

Her face slams onto the counter and she releases a low groan. "Buy some stuff…" she pleads to the wood.

Hoofsteps alert Shade. She watches the door expectantly. Pinkie opens the door and enters with a grin.

Shade frowns a little on the inside not seeing a customer but she smiles since one of her friends is here. "Greetings, Pinkie-winky."

Pinkie giggles into a hoof. "Hey, Shadey-wadey! Have you seen Rainbow Dash today?"

"Nope. Been cooped up in here all day so far. What's up?"

"Oh nothing. Just wanted to spend some time with her. Lately, it feels like she's been avoiding me though," Pinkie shares somberly.

"What? That's crazy talk. Who wouldn't want to spend time with the partiest, pinkest pony around?" Shade smiles.

"Right?!" Pinkie giggles.

"My best bet would be to check the clouds."

"Thanks, Shadey-wadey!" Pinkie hugs Shade and prances out the door.

Shade's smile disappears slowly. A sigh escapes her as the loneliness creeps again into her heart. A riveting, nail biting three hours pass and Shade decides to close up shop for lest the dinner crowd of ponies stampede her establishment down.

She finds herself wondering around the park and ends up by the large pond. Across the way, she sees Fluttershy. Shade makes sure to approach loudly as to not startle her easily shaken friend.

Fluttershy turns her head to the crunch of stones to see Shade walking her way. A smile finds its way to her muzzle as she greets Shade, "Good afternoon, Shade."

"Heya, Fluttershy. How are things?" Shade asks.

"Oh. Everything is fine. I just found this interesting litte critter here and it is not moving." Fluttershy points to a turtle looking creature in the shallows. Her eyes begin to water, "I hope it isn't dead."

Shade lowers her head to inspect the creature. She grins, "It can't be dead since—"

Splash!

A jet of water splash Shade in her face. Water drips from her mane and goggles. Fluttershy looks with surprise. Laughter catches her attention.

She smirks at the bushes and hears Rainbow Dash yell, "Run!"

Shade encases Rainbow Dash and Pinkie within her crimson magic and pulls them over to her.

Rainbow Dash laughs meekly as she hangs upsaide down, "Mercy?"

"Does this look like the face of mercy?" Shade deadpans.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie gulp audibly simultaneously. Shade smirks and sends the two ponies flying into the pond.

"Enjoy your dip!" Shade banters.

Fluttershy giggles. "Good one, Shade."

"Need any help with anything, Shy?" Shade offers.

Fluttershy taps her chin in thought. "Not right now… Oh! Tomorrow I need to buy food for all the critters. Would you mind…?"

"Sure thing, Shy." With a quick hug Shade says her farewell to Fluttershy and heads back home.

On her way to the house, Shade spots Rarity inside her father's smithy.

"Curious," Shade hums and turns her body to walk to the smithy.

When she enters the shop, she hears Rarity and her father laughing. Rarity's pheromones hit Shade with the same force as the heat from the forge.

"You are ridiculous, Grey," Rarity giggles and playfully pushes the stallion.

"Oh, he is a riot," Shade's voice carries like a cold wind that chills the warm room.

"Shade, darling, I didn't here you come in!" Rarity titters nervously. "You know Grey Smith?"

"Yes. He is my father after all," is Shade's icy reply. She saw the life drain from Rarity's face.

"Y-your fa-fa-fa-fffffATHER?!" Rarity stammers. She stares at the stallion is disbelief.

"You mean you didn't know?" Grey inputs. "I'm sure I told everypony."

"Rarity," Shade's voice snaps Rarity to attention, "please leave me and my father alone." Shade's eyes began to resemble the flames of the forge, "There is something I must discuss with him."

"C-Certainly, darling!" Rarity gallops out of the shop and dares not to look back lest she becomes a pile of salt.

"Sweetheart!" Grey greets Shade with a beaming grin.

The vein in Shade's forehead pops out as she returns a sinister grin. "Do I need to make you a gelding now or later?" Shade inquires sweetly.

Grey chuckles and wipes the cold sweat from his brow. "Hahaha! You're a character sweet— Why do you have— Now, put the axe down and let's talk this out like ad— Ahhhhhh! Mother and Father! Mercy!"

"Does this look like the face of mercy?" Shade deadpans.