//------------------------------// // Rarity's Ring // Story: Baking Perfect Pie // by Kumare Tanamaru //------------------------------// Well, I thought to myself. It's been a year for me and Pinkie Pie, and I still haven't told anypony. It's time we got past this... It's absolutely ridiculous! Besides, I think I might ask her to marry me... and if I do, I have to have the perfect ring. Pinkie Pie was there for me in my time of need on my birthday, and I want to make her feel special. I love her with all my heart, and this last year has proved that to me. I must ask her. But first, the ring. Hmmm..... Where can I find such a talented pony in that area...? I stamped my hoof in the ground "I should go see Rarity!" I set off to the Carousel Boutique. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique!" Rarity said as opened the door. "Oh, Pineapple, do come in!" "But, this is a shop for ladies..." "Pish posh! What do you need, hmm? Rarity is very busy." "Well, I don't know how to say this, but... I need a ring." Rarity stopped her work abruptly. "Why, whatever for?" she looked at me with a confused face. "It's for somepony..." She gasped "Oh my goodness! You're going to propose to somepony?!" she said as she ran up into my personal space. "Tell. Me. Everything! "Uh... It's for Pinkie Pie, and I.... I love her Rarity. I know it was wrong to tell you that I had nothing other than a friendship with her a few months ago... but we've been together for a year now, and I need to show her that I will take care of her for the rest of her life." "A year?Oh my my my Pineapple! How ever did you learn to keep secrets like that? "Something I learned back where I was from" I shuttered. "Well, I'm certain she will say yes. A ring for Pinkie Pie hmm? Well, I can certaintly whip up... The per-fect ring!" "Wait, where’s that music coming from? "What’s the per-fect ring? An emerald or ruby, A shiny topaz gem. You can’t go wrong with diamonds, ‘Cuz they’re a girl’s best friend. A citrine ring is perfect! Or perhaps a rare moon’s tear, Why must there be so many? We’ll find one, don’t you fear!" "It has to be perfect!" "Perhaps something pink? "You’re the designer, Tell me what you think!" "Beryl, bloodstone, Rainbow moonstone, Spinel, Fluorite, Star diopsite, Iolite, Jadeite, Kunzite, Kyanite Topaz, Sphene, Aquamarine!" *shrugs* "A tiger’s eye?" "Nah, too informal." "A mystic topaz?" "Too abnormal." "A melanite ring?" "That’s way too dark! Something that matches her cutie mark." "Moss opal?" "Nah." "Quartz cat’s eye?" "Pass." "Hackmantite?" "No way!" "Maw-sit-sit!" "… What the heck is that?" "Well, the maw-sit-sit is one of the more unusual gemstones in the world. It was first discovered in 1963 and named after a village in northwestern Burma." "Uh… no thanks…" "Hold on! I’ve got it!" "Oh really, have you now?" "A sapphire will do the trick!" "Are you sure about that pick?" "Of course, I am the designer." "Will it match her pink attire?" "No, her eyes silly!" "Right! Anything for my filly." "Alright then, it’s settled! A sapphire ring I’ll make!" "Please keep it inexpensive, You know, for Pinkie’s sake." "I shall resist my thirst for art," "She’s got to love this present from my heart~!" "It’s the per-fect ring~~!" "Don't you worry Pineapple, I'll have it for you in the morning." "Thanks Rarity, I really appreciate it! Just don't tell anypony!" "I swear!" I squinted at her. "Pinkie Pie swear?" "If I must... Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." I left feeling a bit more confident for my long day at work. I hope Pinkie likes it. You had professional help I put on my apron and walked inside Sugarcube Corner. ***** "Good morning Mr. Spice!" "Good morning Mr. Cake!" I said overjoyed. "My my, what is it that has got you in such a good mood?" "Oh, well I-" I stopped myself. "Is Pinkie Pie here? "Not that I know of." "Good. Anyways, I'm going to propose to Pinkie Pie!" "Wh-what?!" "Yeah, and the reason I'm so happy is that I just picked out her ring, and It'll be ready in the morning! Isn't that wonderful??" "Ho no, oh no, oh NO!" "Uh... No...?" "We have to start planning for the wedding TODAY then!" "But I haven't even-" "And what will happen if she says yes?! Then we'll have lost time! HONEY! GET YOUR STUFF AND COME ON! Take care of the old place, will ya?" "But I-" "Where are we going?" "Pineapple is thinking about-" "SHHHT! not so loud!" I said in panic. "Oh, right." he said. "Pineapple is thinking about proposing to our dear sweet Pinkie Pie." Mrs. Cake's jaw fell to the floor. "We have to start preparations TODAY!" "That's what I said! Now c'mon, lets get to it!" They ran out the door and I was alone in the shop again. Sheesh, I thought. I haven't even asked her yet, and they're already stressing about it being perfect. I guess I can't blame them, after all, I do want the absolute best for my filly. I smiled to myself as I thought of this. I really hope that everything turns out perfect! She'll be so surprised! I turned to the cash register and was ready to receive orders. ***** What a day. I thought to myself. Who knew running that place was so exhausting? I opened the door and went inside my house "Hey, I'm home." I said. "Hey there, how was work?" "Tough. I had to work the whole place by myself." "What happened to Mr. and Mrs. Cake?" "Oh, they left early to-" I stopped myself. "To...... Pick up more ingredients!" "Oh... Okey Dokey Lokey! Though that must have been awful... go sit down in the living room, and I'll fix you up something for dinner." I kissed her on the cheek "You're the best." I said She giggled, but said nothing as I walked to the living room and sat down. She took a little while in making my dinner, I didn't mind, so I began to think about home. How are my brother and sister? How is my mother? How is my father...? "Here you are, honey~!" "Since when did you start calling me that?" I chuckled "Since now silly! Now eat up, you don't want it to get cold~!" I was a well made meal. The hay was stacked neatly in cubes in the corner of my plate, the apple slices were perfectly cut, and the veggies were stir fried in margarine. "Looks great Pinkie!" I said with my mouth open and watering. I stuffed my belly full and went on tell Pinkie about how my day at work went. She didn't really know much about baking except for a few recipes here and there, but she listened very well to what I had to say. It was like I made her a whole new person, more relaxed and somewhat happier. "Pinkie?" I said to her softly, while caressing her shoulder. "How much do you love me?" "What?" "How much do you love me?" She paused and looked at the ground. "I love you more than anything Pineapple. I would do anything for you, and I really do want to be with you every second of every day. I've become a happier pony because of you. The truth is, when you first told me that you liked me I was in the middle of a depression in my life. Thinking about all of the comments that people have said about me... people didn't understand who I was, people didn't see the real me. The more serious me. I went home and cried every night. I cried to Celestia to bring me another form of joy, something, anything that would take me away from that horrible place. I guess she must've heard me, because that's when you came to Ponyville. When I first saw you I was overjoyed, and wanted to meet you right away, but I had to stay my usually 'Pinkie Pie' way, and throw you a party. That night, I wasn't just throwing the party for you, I was throwing it for us. For what we might become. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, Pineapple. I won't ever ever ever forget what you've done for me. No matter what comes between us. That's how much I love you." I looked into her sapphire eyes. "I never knew that Pinkie." I said "I didn't know how you would react... I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." "Don't worry, you didn't" I said with a slight smile. Pinkie Pie yawned loudly. "You look tired." I said. "Let's go to bed." "Okay." she said. I laid her into bed and put the covers over her. I stayed up for a while though. I had a lot on my mind. I had a big question for her tomorrow, and I didn't want to screw anything up. Big day tomorrow. Sure you're ready? I... You can wait, you don't have to tomorrow. ... No. I do have to tomorrow. I thought. "It's time to get over my fear of rejection and abandonment. I don't just have one question. I have two. One for Pinkie Pie. One... for my family." I laid down next to Pinkie and stroked her mane. I fell asleep next to the most beautiful filly in the world: Pinkie Pie.