Part 1: The Pony and the Weasel
The idea was simple enough, a little inn to help subsidize the cost of the Critter Sanctuary just outside of Ponyville. The animals were happy and Fluttershy was content, and everything was running so well until the weight of government came to bear. Despite the blessings of Princess Celestia and the royal cabinet, the gubernatorial process demanded that the proper taxes and fees be paid. Infrastructure had to be installed, maintained, and that required money. Money that Fluttershy and her project were both lacking. Fluttershy herself was also rather poor with her budgeting skills, often overpaying or falling to convincing sales ponies for fear of causing a conflict.
So, when the tax bill came due, it was either pay or be shut down. Fluttershy of course turned to her friends for assistance, and the group came together to help her figure out a solution. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie all had their own ideas of how to make things work. Through the input of the entire group, the idea of an inn was hatched as a sustainable concept that would ensure income for years to come.
Between the six of them, the initial building was relatively easy. A plot of land on the edge of the sanctuary was selected, with proximity to the road in and out of Ponyville. With the help of Applejack and Rainbow Dash the building was easily constructed using materials gathered from the Everfree Forest and Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight and Rarity took care of the interior design and workflow concepts respectively, and finally Pinkie Pie assisted with the supply issues. Fluttershy herself was overseeing the project and with the help of her lovable critters, saw the project take shape.
With customers and a business concept, then they’d be ready to serve the Ponyville and its visitors the best baked goods and cider in all of Equestria! Fluttershy would serve as the proprietor of the inn and restaurant, with her more capable critters acting as servers. After all, if raccoons could be trained to serve goods at Rarities boutique in Canterlot, why not here in Ponyville? A selection of creatures whose nimble features were asked to join the staff at the inn, and many were eager to help. All were welcome, of course, and the opening day approached when the inn would open its doors to the world and hopefully yield the income to provide for the sanctuary and the local bureaucracy.
The staff included some raccoons, whose flexibility and dexterity had already proven themselves in the past. Hosts included a hummingbird and an owl, creatures easily able to move rapidly and assess the condition of the inn on a busy night. The kitchen staff was a bit of a motley crew, consisting mostly of ponies who were passionate about the Sanctuary and capable of creating foods safely. Altogether, the group was unconventional, but that was the charm of this concept, a unique dining experience with cute critters playing as the front-end staff.
One of the animals that wished to join the group, however, was not particularly suited to any specific task. An ermine with a beautiful snowy-white coat had approached Fluttershy near the completion of the project and asked to join the crew in any capacity that was available. The creature’s name was Frost, and she was an energetic little thing. Endlessly curious, rambunctious, and creative, she was one of Fluttershy’s favorite residents of the sanctuary. Surely, Fluttershy thought, there was some job that this little creature could do. Even the way she moved put a smile on her face. But what to do?
Ermines are beautiful creatures, small, fast, and curious. They tend to investigate everything, as they are crafty predators who specialize in catching small mammals like mice, rats, and voles. Frost, however, had become quite accustomed to being fed since she arrived at the sanctuary, and instead spent her days exploring and honing her athletic skills. However, sometimes, the instincts took over and she succumbed to the lure of hunting a small creature for fun, such as a bird or mouse.
Because of the unorthodox nature of the inn and the composition of the waitstaff, the proprietress of the inn had decided on a whimsical name for the business, ‘The Pony and the Weasel.” It was decided that Frost would act as a greeter and general errandcreature, spending her time entertaining ponies waiting for a table and helping as needed throughout the inn’s operations. Frost was to be the face of the inn!

Part 2: Opening Night
Finally, the opening night arrived. The wait staff was ready and well trained, the cooks were supplied and eager to work, and the bar was stocked with the best cider and juice that the town had to offer. News of the inns opening had spread like wildfire though Ponyville, and many ponies had arrived to visit the inn and to have a new dining experience.
Fluttershy took a deep breath, steeling herself for a busy night as the manager of the new establishment. Before the last minute, she called a meeting with the staff. As she stood in front of the gathering of critters and ponies, she did her best to speak clearly.
“You have all done so well to help me get this project started, and I am so proud of all of you. I know that we’ll all be able to work together to make everycreature happy and to keep the Sanctuary open. Thank you for your help, everyone. I know we’ll be okay.”
She couldn’t help but be incredibly anxious about the whole idea, despite the fact that they had been working toward this night for weeks, if not months. Still, the show must go on and it was up to her to keep it all in order. After setting the critters to work, she ventured to the front door and opened it softly.
The crowd outside nearly made her shut the door again. With a squeak of minor panic, she tried to call out, but was saved the trouble by the ponies lined up immediately beginning to stream inside. She found herself pushed aside, but her hosts and Frost were ready to go, immediately directing ponies to open tables for the first arrivers and to a waiting area for those who arrived too late.
The waitstaff circulated with papers and pencils designed for each pony to be able to write down their order, which the staff then conveyed to the kitchen. The cooks took the written requests and prepared the meals from the menu, translated from the written instructions best as possible. Finally, once the meals were ready, the waitstaff conveyed the prepared food to the tables and left the ponies to their dining.
Fluttershy spend her time at first answering questions from the customers and keeping the critters circulating. The project seemed to be going well, with the critters working quickly and the ponies enjoying their meal and the novelty of the unconventional waitstaff. Taking payments and donations from the patrons, she was gaining confidence as the night progressed.
Through the entryway a particular pony entered, one familiar to Fluttershy. Mayor Mare, top politician in Ponyville and curator of the city, smiled as her eyes fell upon the little yellow pony. She approached and with a friendly air, spoke.
“Oh, how lovely, Fluttershy. I am so pleased with your creativity and dedication to ensuring that your tax bill is paid and that your facility is funded. I just want you to know that the Ponyville city council is behind your new concept absolutely one hundred percent, and that we want you to do well. This is going to bring so many ponies to our little town, and hopefully even more business to our local establishments.”
With a smile, Mayor Mare concluded her statement just before one of the hummingbird hosts got her attention and directed her to a newly freed table. Fluttershy took a deep breath and knew at that moment that Mayor Mare would need some extra attention to keep her happy and to ensure that her inn was well thought of. A bad review from one of the most influential ponies could spell the end of her venture before she was even close to achieving her goals. She got the little vivacious ermine’s attention and asked her a favor.
“Frost, why don’t you do your best to make sure that Mayor Mare is well taken care of? We need her to be happy and content with her meal.”
The message conveyed; Frost immediately set to her assigned task. She was so excited to be part of the crew that she could not help bouncing with excitement as she moved. She approached the Mayors table, tugging at the ponies mane gently in order to get her attention. Looking down, the Mayor spied the little creature at her feet and smiled broadly.
“Yes, little creature?” the Mayor inquired.
With a series of squeaks and gesticulations, the ermine attempted to convey the message that she wanted to help the Mayor as best she could. Unfortunately, not everypony has the talent that Fluttershy has, and the mayor was unable translate the little weasels attempts at communication into a message she understood.
“Do you need something, little one? I’m sorry, I don’t understand you.” She hesitated a moment, then lifted her voice and called uncertainly, “Fluttershy? I need your help!”
Taking a break from the register, Fluttershy approached the table and smiled brightly at Mayor Mare. Mayor Mare spoke upon her arrival.
“Fluttershy, I think that your little friend wants to communicate with me, but I’m really not able to understand here.