Kid Anon and Fluttermom part 26

>You look ahead aswell, Applebloom was right. shit was getting barren. "So, uh....who's gonna have a go?"
>Applebloom turned her head towards you "Why don'tcha go again Anon? You got the most bits out of the three of us."
>"W-what? again?" you were surprised they'd trust you with such an honor, especially since your bravey for defending their honor has diminished. "Are you sure? I-I mean..."
>Scootaloo started to get aggravated with your fluctuating bravery, being unable to understand your reasoning "Come on Anon, Stop being a wimp! We're never gonna get our cutie marks with that attitude!"
>Wimp? you...weren't a wimp...Right? You look at Scootaloo, you didn't know how to feel about that answer, was it true? Even if it was, that was not a title you wanted branded on you. "I'm not a wimp! I'm just new at this! I am in training afterall."
>Scootaloo started to stare you down "yeah, but it almost looks like you just want to wimp out"
>applebloom was surprised by Scootaloo's sudden outburst, she thought everyone was on the same page. Especially after Anon's success. "Scootaloo, what got into ya? If Anon doesn't wanna do it, we can't just force him."
>Scootallo started to get really aggravated "I didn't say to force him, it's just....." Suddenly, she looked down, her face as long as well...a horse "We try everyday Applebloom, and it just seems like we don't get anywhere. I'm just tired getting looked down upon all the time. I just though we might have had an edge this time." She sighed, her face full of sorrow and sadness as she looks at you "Sorry Anon, I guess I just lost my cool."
> was a cutie mark really that important? Fluttershy had told you what they are for and how a pony usually gets one. But you didn't know not having one meant damnation.

>You now grew curious, about cutie marks. It seemed crusading was serious business. "Scoots, it's ok. I mean,.." Now that you thought about it, you barely knew these two, perhaps asking Scootaloo about cutie marks will shed some light on the situation...but how to ease into it? "a cutie mark can't be that big a deal right?"
>They were both taken aback by that statement. oh boy...
>Scootaloo looked at you like you were nuts "Anon, Cutie marks are super super important to ALL ponies! It represents our special talent, practically our destinies!"
>You knew that much "Yeah but. everypony gets one eventually right? Why would anypony look down upon you guys. You both seem pretty great, I bet Sweetie Belle is great too."
>Scootaloo hoofpalmed "Anon, don't you get it? Without a cutie mark. a Pony is pratically nothing. It's fine when you're young, but we should have ours by now and WE STILL don't have one!"
>You still didn't quite grasp the concept. "but, is it really that important to have one so soon? I mean, well..."
>Scootaloo sighed "You just don't get it. we get made fun of for not having them. Especially by Diamond Tiara and her friends."
>huh....you remember a bit from your old world. Where wanting to grow up faster was not a wise decision. It seemed opposite here. "Geez, I..didn't know. I'm sorry."
>"It's ok..." Scootaloo said "I guess we'll just have to try something else"
>Applebloom walked up to her friend and gave her a reassuring smile "come on Scootaloo, we'll do it eventually. We still have a trillion things we can try! This merchant just happens to not be it."
>Scootaloo nodded, it looked like she tried to cheer up, but she still seemed sad "Yeah, I wonder if Sweetie Belle is having any luck....I wish she was here. Maybe we may have had a better chance."

>Applebloom "Well maybe" Applebloom was doing her best to cheer Scootaloo up "or we just would have messed up together so we can try something else together! Today is just an off day. But ya gotta admit, it wasn't all bad. We got to actually make a new friend, and he's already great crusader material!"
>Scootaloo nodded "he is pretty good." She looks at you, a smile forming on her face "You're pretty ok Anon, So. Do you want to be a crusader? I mean, you don't seem to need anymore training."
>heh, what training? and it seems. Being a crusader is the same as being their friends. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference. so might aswell "Sure why not, But i'm not a wimp. got it!?"
>Scootaloo nodded in agreement "Got it!"
>Applebloom took the opportunity to draw you and Scootaloo into a group hug "Well that settles it then, The Cutie Mark Crusaders have got a new member! Welcome to the club Anon! I bet Sweetie Belle will be really excited when she finds out! We just need to make it fully official when we get back to the clubhouse!"
>You blushed, it felt nice to be accepted by ponies you assumed were your own age. you also felt a renewed vigor as you embraced them.
>after the hug was over, you walk over to the counter and look forward. You may not beable to sell everything. But for your new friends and clubmates. You were going to give it your best shot. "ok guys...I'm gonna give it my best shot"
>Scootaloo looked up at you "Anon? why? theres no way we can sell everything"
> you smirked "We aren't going to. We are just going to sell as much as we can. Maybe not giving up is the key to getting a cutie mark"

>Applebloom seemed encouraged by your words "Wow Anon! maybe you're right! we can't give up now!"
>Scootaloo joined you at your side and looked over the counter "Sounds like a plan to me, and if we don't get one, then there's always tommorow!"
>Alright, you were all in agreeance then. Now to get some customers....somehow.
>Standing at the counter wasn't going to work. You needed an angle. You needed to think. If you were a pony, what would you want to buy from here?
>You stared into the faces of the meandering pool of possible customers. Maybe if you could jump into their thoughts, you could figure out an idea....too bad mind powers wasn't something you actually had. But maybe...what if you made up your own customer?
>"Guys, I have a plan."
>They look at you, both asking you "What is it Anon?"
>you smirked, it was flawless "Why don't you guys pose as customers. And be all "WOAH" and "THIS IS THE BEST SHOP EVER" and buy things without actually buying it and being all super satisfied. but really loudly satisfied. That might make other ponies wanna come and buy stuff."
>Applebloom was ecstatic "Wow! That just might work!"
>Scootaloo nodded in agreeance "Alright Anon, we're on it!"
>And so the plan was hatched. Applebloom and Scootaloo moseyed on down to the other side of the counter and acted as "Customers".
>It was a loud and obnoxious routine. But you just brought up miscellaneous items to them as they "bought them" and "marveled" at how useful they were. Scootaloo overdid it by acting a little too "skeptical" at times. But atleast it was more believable than Applebloom's "blind approval" routine. Unfortunately, this plan was unsuccessful. Nopony came to the stand.
>you sighed as your shoulders sunk in "well, that didn't work."
>Applebloom nor Scootaloo seemed downtrodden this time.
>"Well, we gave it our best. " Scootaloo said "we can always try something else tommorow after all"
>"We should pack up and get goin' before it gets too late" Applebloom added
>That wasn't good enough. One more, come on...just one more!
>You stood, looking over the counter. eyeing intently every pony that passed by.
>Scootaloo tugged at your shirt "Hey Anon, come on. we're gonna call it a day."
>You didn't feel it at first. until she tugs a bit harder. Getting your attention "huh, what?"


>Applebloom giggled "Wow Anon, ya really got that Crusadin spirit!"
>you smiled, embarased "yeah eheh,I guess I do. But...eh...hold on. I want to go for one more. You guys don't mind right?"
>They both looked at eachother and nodded, then looked back at you.
>"I guessssss one more can't hurt. But I don't wanna be here forever." Scootaloo said
>You smirked "It won't take forever, I dunno what it is. But I feel confident. I'm sure we can get one more."
>Suddenly Applebloom jumped up when she spotted a dark purple mare, she looked rather cheerful. "Scootaloo look, it's miss Cheerilee! Maybe she'd want to buy something. ya know, school related. Quick, check the stuff for chalk or somethin'!"
>Scootaloo jumped right at it. digging into the pile
>You look over to Applebloom "Who?"
>Applebloom smiled at you "It's our teacher Anon, and teachers always need stuff like chalk and uh, other school malarky! Plus she's really nice. She's sure to buy something from us!"
> You thought about it. You knew Pinkie Pie, and it netted you 12 bits. And they know their teacher. So if the same logic applies....
>You nod "Hey call her over, this might work out better than we thought!"
>Applebloom started waving her hoof to flag her down "Already on it!"
>She called out "MISS CHEERILEE! MISS CHEERILEE OVER HERE!"
>That certainly caught her attention. You gulp as she walks over. But you stood your ground. You started to realise you really had to be Fluttershy's son in some respect at this point.Feeling these felings, but...you can't let yourself feel that way, you weren't a wimp.
>Cheerilee walked up to the stall, she had a saddlebag that seemed rather full. You hoped this wouldn't be a problem. You wonder how'd she react to you. You hope she'd react like that pony from before, the one with the rose cutiemark.