The Arrival

Crimson Inferno had just come back from Manehatten. He made a family visit there recently, and just recently came back. Crimson looked around. "Man," he said to himself. "I dunno what drains me more. Comin' back from a massive train ride, 'er not 'avin' any bits."

Crimson was still very poor. He had his old run-down house to go to, but that was about it. He grabbed his suitcases making his way home. He eventually grew tired and stopped to get a drink. He went to the nearby bench in a park for a small break. He started sweating from all the heavy lifting. "I make fire for a livin' I should be used ta' 'dis by now," he said to himself.

A pegasus with a black mane and piercing yellow eyes handed a cup of ice cold chai tea to Crimson.
"You look tired. Drink."
The unicorn had the misfortune of sitting on the seldom sat-upon bench outside of his store, the Rose Street Cafe. OzyManedias had sighted his potential customer and prepared a nice iced beverage. Hopefully he would finally... FINALLY get somepony who wasn't turned off by his horrendous attitude.

Honestly, he doubted it.

"I said drink your bucking beverage." Sniffing, Ozy planted the drink next to Crimson and sat next to him. "I don't have all day you know."

Crimson looked at the pegasus with an annoyed stare. Normally he'd respond with anger, but he gave him a drink, so he decided to lay it off easy. "Ehh, 'danks," he said. "But you ain't a boss a' me. I hope you know 'dat." Crimson drank, feeling rather rejuvenated right after. "Man, you gotta way wit' drinks. 'Danks again, pally." Crimson took his luggage and was about to continue on home. "Now if you excuse me, I've gotta dumpsta' to go to," said Crimson, obviously referring to his home.

"No, actually your not going anywhere." Ozy held out his hoof expectantly.

"Five bits. for the drink." He smiled sweetly at Crimson. at the reference to the dumpster he could tell he was flat broke. That didn't stop him.

"Unless... of course... you don't have any money?" He feigned surprise as he let out a little gasp. "Oh my! you are the indebted to me! how embarrassing! Say, instead of turning you in to the police for theft, how about we make out a little deal, yes?" He patted the now empty seat next to him, expecting Crimson to come to sit by him.

"You are lacking of the money, yes?"

All was going to plan...

Crimson frowned. He obviously didn't like where this was going. "Ehehe," laughed Crimson. "'Ow's 'dis; I could go in debt and pay ya' latas'," asked Crimson. He really was broke. He had no money but then again this could be a good opportunity. "Or ya' want me to work fer' yas'," asked Crimson again. He hoped that he could at least pay for the roof over his head. Crimson sighed at what he got himself into. Sure he needed a job, but he had hoped for something more... Enjoyable.

"My my!" OzyManedias clapped slowly. "Stolidissima rusticus magis spectat captiosus plus quam mediocris." He chuckled at the phrase. "Yes you stupid plebian. I have a job opening open right now..." That he had to trick some stupid Manehattaner into taking? Celestia's mercy he was desperate...

"That I feel would be perfect for a lesser pony like yourself!" He beamed, proud of the proposition. "I can pay you. not much, maybe an bit an hour. I am not rich but it would help to have an assistant." His condescending smile dropped back into his serious frown.

Crimson's mane stood up. "A bit an hour," Crimson shrieked. "'Dat's like nothin'," yelled Crimson, getting very veiny. He was about to drop the job, but he has his debt to pay, doesn't he? Crimson released a deep sigh. "Fine. Where do I begin," asked Crimson. He thought about this job. How would he help, came to mind. "I 'ope you realize I'm good wit' nothin' but fire, right? Why would you want me?" Crimson hoped this would be a quick experience, so he can move on peacefully with his life.

"yes yes yes I know its next to nothing but I'll throw in free meals if your good and aren't annoying." Ozy waved a dismissive hoof. "Fire you say? Hmm... I can deal with that. there is a basement below the stairs, in that basement is a furnace. keep the furnace running, under control, and constantly flowing with hot water. you think you can do that without burning my house down?"

Crimson thought about say 'Depends on my mood', but didn't want to disrespect his new boss, so he left with a simple "Fine," and went to the basement, doing as instructed. He kept the furnace hot as well as the water boiling, not disobeying his bosses order. Eventually, he started sweating, not from the heat (He was immune to that), but from the work his horn had to put up with. "Note to self," Crimson said to himself. "Dun' except free drinks from a stranga'." Eventually, he went upstairs a few hours later.

"'Ey, do I get breaks 'er somethin'," asked a sweaty, ashy Crimson.

When Crimson returned, he found OzyManedias writing in a large, ancient tome with a quill with red ink.

"'Ey, do I get breaks 'er somethin',"

He quickly slammed the leatherbound book shut and spun around. "Don't sneak up on ponies!" He snapped quickly. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves as he looked Crimson up and down. "I suppose without breaks you will probably die due to the smoke... Fine. I do pay you by the hour so do keep that in mind. and one more thing." He paused for a moment and scratched his chin.

"What is your name? you may call me OzyManedias."

Crimson tried hold in his laughter. He thought OzyManedias was a funny name, He eventually came back to his senses and said his name. "My name's Crimson. Crimson Inferno!" Crimson was about ready to go downstairs and relax for his break. He made sure he took a fifteen minute break, for he didn't want to waste too much time and lose bits. He took a deep sigh, before getting back to work.

Amina was traveling, yet again. No use in staying pent-up in old Canterlot. A full day of traveling had Amina exhausted, and she decided to stop on the bench in front of The Rose Street Café.

"Wow," she muttered to herself. "Who ever zought zat traveling by train could be so tiresome?"

She dropped her saddlebags and closed her eyes, relishing in the cool breeze.

"What?" OzyManedias stared at Crimson. "What is so funny?" He frowned as Crimson went back to work "Crimson Inferno... no wonder he doesn't get jobs..." He shook his head as he glanced outside.

"Quid habemus hic?" A pony from Saddle Arabia! he thought, why we were practically neighbors back when I was still...

Still what? Keep your head in the present, he reminded himself. He poured a glass of cool ice-water, adding a slice of cucumber to it. He thought for a moment before calling down to the basement.

"Mr. Inferno, there are a box of dates and figs in the storeroom adjacent to the room you are in now. Be a good employee and fetch them for me will you?" He snickered craftily as he slithered to the door.

"Miss?" He waved at Amina. "Might I interest you in a cool glass of water? free of charge, of course."

Crimson got each of the boxes. However, he heard Ozy's question. He knew what he was doing. Ozy was about to use that same trick he did on him. Crimson couldn't stand for this. He didn't care about getting fired. He ran up to Amina.

"'Ey! You! Dun' listen to dis' guy! 'E's gonna scam you!! Dun' listen ta' 'im!"

Crimson hoped the tall mare listened. He knew he was going to get fired, but he didn't care at this point. Anything was better than this job.

"Scam? like what i did to you?" Ozy laughed from the doorway. "Only a fool would scam the delegate of Saddle Arabia. I may be slimy, but I am far from being downright evil." He passed Crimson and patted him on the head.

"Besides, you were too stupid too pass up on! I never said anything was free!" He set the water down next to Amina and smiled warmly. "I do apologize for my friend's... outburst. Here you are, Madam, free of charge, as I said." He glanced at Crimson, but harbored no hatred. What an admirable thing. To stand up to OzyManedias to do the right thing. If this was a thousand years ago OzyManedias would give him a award for his valor.

"Enjoy, please feel free to come in the shop if you need anything else." He bowed politely before grabbing Crimson and dragging him into the store. He quickly stashed the leather bound book in a secret compartment under the counter before turning to face Crimson. "May I ask why you thought I was going to scam that mare?" His bright yellow eyes shone brightly as he looked at him up and down, judging his every move.

Amina smiled at the Pegasus, through the window.

"شكرا لك، يا سيدي،" she said. When he stared blankly, she realized she had spoken in Arabic.

"Sorry," she said, blushing. "Zank you, sir. You are quite kind."

'Ey! You! Dun' listen to dis' guy! 'E's gonna scam you!! Dun' listen ta' 'im!"

The Pegasus dragged Crimson into the café and started yelling at him. Amina followed them and stood in the doorway. She frowned at Crimson.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, shaking her head. "I know zis pony. He was serving food at ze Zafrican Ball to all ze snooty ponies to see ze ambassador. I met him sere."

Crimson blushed. He spoke to Amina first. "W-Well, ya' see he scammed me by offerin' me a drink, 'den puttin' me in debt. I-I didn't know you two already knew each other, hehe."

Crimson didn't dare look at his boss. He felt like he was going to soon be fired. He closed his eyes shut, awaiting any punishment that was available for him.

"Er...ليس هناك مشكلة?" Ozy tentatively attempted a phrase in Arabic. His was rusty (after a thousand years) but he thought he got it correctly.

"I apologize, I was about to compliment my assistant for being honest. Isn't that one of the key points in the 'Elements of Harmony?' But I digress." he nodded to Crimson respectfully before going behind the counter of the store.

"Where are we on those dates, Inferno? I know its a delicacy in Saddle Arabia, so I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty to fetch some." He smiled at Amina. "And really, I think he needed the job more than he thought."