Artist’s Description
 
The light drizzle of rain lasted for a few days, making the tiny café on the corner of Mane Street and Dapple Boulevard a safe haven for tourists and residents of Capricorn Reef. The sky was washed out under the overcast sky, much to the stark comparison of the homey and inviting interior of the the Friendly Bean. Half a dozen customers glanced up as the door swung open, followed by a blast of cold wind. Unlike the outside, the interior of the café was warm and cheery, with bright lights and colorful walls. The customers returned to their conversations as the door swung closed behind the new patron and the cold breeze was forgotten. The pegasus shook out the water from his wings and dried his damp hooves on the floor mat before stepping into the café. An amused smirk stretched across his face as he eyed the towering barista working diligently on the next customer’s order. Behind the counter, a tall burly stallion called out over the voices to welcome the new customer.
 
Wally: Welcome to the Friendly Bean! I’ll be with you in a moment.. turns and hands the cup of coffee to the pony standing at the counter, before looking up Oh! Well, look what the wind blew in~ Hey there stranger!
 
Singe: grins widely Hey~ You miss me, you big lug? The carnival is back in town so I thought I’d swing by and see how you are holding up!
 
Wally: waves his hand across, referencing all the customers We are actually doing pretty great! With this being our busy season, Pandie and I have been busting our chops coming up with new and enticing flavors to bring in new customers.
 
Singe: ears perk Pandie? You mean Mako’s sister, right?
 
Pandie: pokes her head out from under the counter Hello, Cinderplume…
 
Singe: fluffs up a little and stares Uh…. hmmm.. H-hi Pandie..
 
Wally: Yeah, she’s my new assistant manager. After Death by Coffee was such a huge success, I put her in charge of coming out with a whole new “Apocalyptic Beverage” line. It’s really bringing in the younger generation. They can’t get enough of it!
 
Singe: raises an eyebrow Younger generation? Wally… You are part of the younger generation. Just because you can grow a beard doesn’t suddenly make you an old stallion, hehehe~
 
Wally: rubs his face and grimaces Beard? Oh.. I must of forgotten to trim this morning.
 
Singe: Really? I thought all baristas and coffee shops owners had facial hair. It’s like… an unspoken rule in your secret underground coffee lover’s club.
 
Wally: weasels his eyes Singe.. There is no caffeinated illuminati or anything like that..
 
Pandie: …Caffeinated ….Illuminati? Well no…but there is a Caffeinated Comatose here.
 
Singe: What’s that?
 
Wally: One of our baristas, Singe. Anyways, I wouldn’t fuss about a little facial hair. I’ll just shave it off tomorrow..
 
Singe: What?! No you have to keep it! In fact, grow all that crusty stubble out to a full flipping beard!
 
Wally: W-what? rubs his chin Why?
 
Singe: You can’t own a coffee shop without a beard. It’s a law.
 
Wally: grimaces It’s not a law..! There are plenty of barista out there without beards..
 
Singe: Okay, yeah, maybe you’ll get the rare prepubescent part time worker.. But believe me, I’ve been around all across Equestria while traveling with the carnival and been to a looooot of cafés and coffee houses… Every stallion owner’s got a beard… You are behind the times, big guy!
 
Pandie: Before I moved here from the maid café in Ponyville, the owner had a full beard and mustache ensemble.
 
Wally pondered and contemplated as he thoughtfully rubbed his chin. His grandfather had a full grown beard and sideburn combo when he owned the café. Is somehow having a full face of scruff and wiry bristles a rite of passage for coffee shop owners? Or is it just Singe… being Singe? The disgruntled barista was leaning towards the second option but he still needed to do more research. The Friendly Bean isn’t the only establishment in town that serves coffee beverages on the island, after all.
 
After serving Singe his coffee, and once again putting it on his ever growing “tab”, Wally decided to take his break early and go for a walk, despite it being a rather wet and dreary day. Having been born on Capricorn Reef and never living elsewhere besides the move from his parent’s basement to the café’s upper story apartment, Wally knew about every shop on the island, if not only by name. For example, he knew of Mako’s little shop of historically restored sunken treasures and antiques, but for as long as he’s been on the island, Wally had never set hoof in the shop. Briskly making his way to the opposite side of the island, he again stood in front of another establishment that he thought he’d never dare set hoof in: Hoofbucks.
 
With a grimace and sneer plastered to his face, the towering pony stepped through the pompously placed double doors, to which he only imagined was to resemble the grand entryway of a palace. His muzzle was instantly assaulted by the sharp and bitter scent of overcooked coffee beans and commercialism.
 
Hoofbucks Barista: waving over Welcome to Hoofbucks… Come up when you’re ready…
 
Wally sneered at the barista, but on closer examination, the stallion staring at him with a far-off, detached look did indeed have a full wooly beard that hung low and covered the collar of his shirt. With the thick, square, plastic rimmed glasses and mane tied into a top knot on the top of his head, he screamed the look “hipster”. All he was missing was the overly priced, designer made “homeless pony” outfit ensemble which Wally only assumed wasn’t allowed as dress code. But…. he did have beard. Unable to handle the bitter stench any longer, Wally let out a grunt and left the building, much to the disinterest of the barista who went back to texting on his phone.
 
Still ever diligent about his quest, Wally wandered throughout the island in search of every café, coffee house and privately own establishment that served coffee as a main beverage on their menu. He even peeked inside the Around the Bayou, knowing that they do serve coffee or at least coffee liqueur in the past. And behold! Even Casey sported a beard. Drats.. Maybe Singe was on to something here.
 
Soon Wally’s break was nearing its end as he headed back to the Friendly Bean. Coming through the back entrance, the tall lanky horse hung up his coat and dried off best he can.
 
Wally: Pandie, I’m back…
 
Pandie: coming from the back room Did you have a nice break?
 
Wally: Eh.. I guess… I’m going to be in my office for a bit. Let me know if you need anything.
 
Pandie: Very well…Oh… There is one thing.
 
Wally: ears perk Hmm? Yes, Pandie?
 
Pandie: You left before I could comment on your…newly acquired facial stubble….It’s nice on you. You should keep it.
 
Wally: paused and stared at Pandie, his cheeks turning pink Oh… um….. Thanks. as he rubbed his chin self consciously
 
Pandie bowed her head slightly, before turning to go back to work, leaving the coffee-and-creamer coloured pony alone by his office door. Wally watched as the long leonine tail swished and disappeared around the corner. He rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Well… if Pandie liked it, maybe a beard wasn’t such a horrible idea.
 
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