I leaped out of the bed with sunrise. This day is going to be perfect. Flowers are blooming outside, birds are singing, and I will have my first lesson with Pri… Celestia!
I smiled brightly as i recalled the dinner with Celestia, Bluey and his father the day before, accompanied with a pleasant chatter.
Bluey’s father’s face when he heard the number of spells I knew was just hilarious. Celestia was impressed as well, but not quite to the same degree.
I stretched in the morning sun’s rays, and rushed to the bathroom across from my bed. I wonder, what kind of lesson will it be?
I bolted out of the bathroom after brushing my teeth, comb still working frantically through my tail, mane already done. I skidded to a halt to look at the clock before diving down the stairs.
Six thirty, lesson at four pm, Bluey is busy all day today… I have nine and a half hour to plunge into the library! If it was possible, there probably would have been stars in my eyes as I was racing down the stairs towards the first floor.
My stomach, however, decided that this was just the right time to remind me about its existence. I tried ignoring it, but after another loud protest, I had to, reluctantly, concede. Okay, okay, breakfast first.
I threw the door open with magic before it had a chance to stop me, and instead of turning to the left, towards the library, I ran off to the right.
Few minutes later, panting from the exercise I put myself through, I entered the kitchen.
The first thing to catch my eye was a cake. No. The Cake.
It was grandiose. No other word could do justice to its sheer size. It was at least meter and half tall at its highest point, and probably as wide in diameter, if not more. Its countless layers were covered in all manners of frosting, forming many a pattern upon it, with every third layer being different from the others.
I just stood there, gaping at it, my jaw hanging slack. I could - out of the corner of my eye - see Talon moving from behind the confectionery monstrosity, his beak twisted in what I can only assume to be a smirk.
“W-what is this?” I managed to squeak out finally.
“This,” Talon replied proudly, looking at his creation, “is Celestia’s morning cake,” He beat me to the next question, “Obviously, it is not quite as big everyday.”
I stammered for a second, but then next question popped up, “Why would she need a morning cake anyway?” I asked, kicking my brain back into motion.
Celestia’s love for cake was widely known, but this abomination? And in the morning?
“She becomes… unpredictable if she doesn’t get it.”
My eyebrow decided to get to know my mane better.
“Well...” Talon fidgeted nervously, considering whether to tell me or not. Finally, he seemingly made up his mind.
It was almost comical how the large gryphon glanced around sneakily and then tiptoed to the door to make sure Celestia wasn’t anywhere near. Once he was confident she would not overhear, he said, “Well, do you know the origin of the April Fools’ day?”
“Of course! Everyone knows it.”
Talon chuckled, “Well, humor the old gryph.”
I rolled my eyes halfheartedly, but proceeded nevertheless, “Three hundred and twenty seven years ago, on the first day of the second month of spring, Princess Celestia went on a pranking spree, which left no city, town or village unaffected.
“One of the most significant changes that was wrought upon Equestria is an indestructible and immovable replica of Celestia herself - ten times the original, and made entirely of chocolate - located in the Manehattan.
“Some think that Discord somehow managed to posses Celestia on that day, but official apology made by Celestia the next day clashes heavily with this theory.
“It never actually became an official holiday, but is recognized and celebrated throughout the Equestria and, in the last century, even beyond.
“However, despite it all, it was never explained as to why the accident happe…” Suddenly, something clicked.
My eyes grew to the size of dinner plates, and Talon’s beak drew up in a smile, “No… Noooo… Was it because..?”
He nodded grimly, “Yes, it was. I was there to see it myself, though not as a chef at the time. Now, I assume you didn't come here just to pray state secrets out of the plain old me, little one?”
“Oh, right. Can you make me two hayburgers and some milk?”
“Sure thing, little one. Give me a few minutes,” Talon said, turning around and going back behind the cake.
The moment Talon - carrying my breakfast - appeared in my line of sight, I snatched the hayburgers in my magic and attacked them in earnest.
Celestia entered the kitchen right when I was finishing off the first one.
“Good morning, Twilight.”
“Goow mowning…” I gulped down the hayburger, and took a sip of milk, turning around to look at her, “Celestia.”
She may have been talking to me, but her gaze was transfixed on the cake-o-monstrosity residing on the table. Celestia - half-crouched, as thought a predator stalking its prey - was prowling towards the cake - tail and mane flicking from side to side - step by careful step. It was a little disconcerting to see, that’s for sure.
As I watched the scene, my earlier curiosity returned to me.
“Celestia?”
“Yes, Twilight?” she said, tearing her gaze away from the cake.
“What will our lesson be about?” I asked hesitantly.
After a moment of silence, as I was about to take another bite, Celestia answered.
“I am not sure. Probably just test what you can and can not do?” A second passed, “Or maybe you have something other in mind?” Celestia asked, smiling wryly.
I felt my hayburger getting stuck in my throat from surprise, and reacted accordingly; coughing and spluttering, that is.
I looked up at Celestia in bewilderment after recovering from my coughing fit.
“What?” She just grinned at me, “Like, I can choose what I want to learn?”
Celestia nodded to my question, the smile still in place, “To an extent, yes,” her grin turned to a slightly guilty one, “I must admit, though, that I was teasing you a bit here. We will have to see just how strong you are anyway, so that will take up some part of the lesson for sure. However, if you have something in particular that you would like to try and learn, you need just say.”
“Hmm,” I hummed thoughtfully, trying to assume a serious expression in spite of my excitement. In the end, I failed miserably and just let the grin spread across my face, mind already abuzz with all the possibilities, “I have so many ideas!”
Celestia chuckled lightly, “Of that, I have no doubt. Now, excuse me Twilight, I fear I must hurry. It is unbecoming of me to be late, after all,” she paused momentarily, “Too often, anyways,” she added with a wink, and dove at the awaiting cake with gusto.
I giggled at that, and returned to my breakfast. However, as I was finishing the second burger, I couldn’t help but stare at Celestia consuming cake, awed. And probably a bit terrified.
Definitely terrified.
I shook myself out of stupor as the process was nearing its logical end, and snapped to attention as best I could - which, all things considered, probably wasn’t all that impressive. As I watched the demise of The Cake, I let a single tear slide down my face. Rest in peace, Captain Cake. Your sacrifice for the sake of Equestria will never be forgotten.
Seconds later I was already dashing out of the door - having said a hasty goodbye to Celestia - trying with all I had to stifle my laughter.
I honestly hoped she didn’t notice.