//------------------------------// // Chocolate Palace's Empress // Story: No Hugs for Sugar Crush // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// The departure of Nightshade and Morganite brought a very quiet atmosphere between Mineral Water and Sugar Crush. When a customer would approach, Mineral would perk up and smile. But after a sale was made and nopony was around, the stallion would keep to himself as if to ignore Sugar on purpose. Sugar didn't know what to make of the attitude swing. She wondered if Nebula was on his mind again. Maybe the Sombra talk got to him. A family of four had finished enjoying their Mineral Milk Cookies. Because of Sugar Crush’s rule of two cookies per customer, each pony got their own sweet to go; a total of eight cookies were sold. “Thank you for enjoying my cookies,” Sugar Crush beamed at the family. Mineral Water nodded in agreement with a smile of his own. A teenage mare stepped forward from her group and asked, “Umm, are you planning on selling these cookies again?” The question, though it was expected to be asked as the day continued, caught Sugar’s tongue. It would mean the world to Sugar Crush have Raspberry allow her to place the Mineral Milk Cookies on the Premium Shelf. She gazed at Mineral for aid in answering the question. Mineral gave a tiny nod before answering, “If the sale goes well, you will most likely see them in the shop. Just come by every once in awhile and ask or see if the cookies are being sold.” “Okay,” the teenager said. Every family member left with a small paper bag in their mouth. Sugar made sure to keep an eye on Mineral as he watched the customers walk together with smiles. Wanting to keep seeing his smile and lift the stallion’s spirits, Suga Crush asked Mineral Water, “Do you think my cookies will be sold at the Chocolate Palace?” Sure enough, Mineral’s smile strengthened. “I know your cookies will be a staple item here,” he said, gesturing to the establishment behind them. “And like I have said before, it makes me happy to know I helped inspire the Mineral Milk Cookies.” Sugar giggled a little and the urge to hug Mineral infected her bones. The mare let out an over exaggerated stretch, her leathery wing reaching for the obviously suspicious stallion. Mineral stared at Sugar with a smirk, aware of the leathery appendage was on the approach. “What?” Sugar Crush smiled. “Can't I give my friend a hug?” “Focus on work, not me,” Mineral Water answered. He then brushed the thestral’s midsection of her wing with his hoof to shoo it away. “Eeee!” At once, Sugar quickly retracted her wing and held it close to her. Sugar pursed her lips and gave Mineral a very disgruntled expression. “Don't do that…” “Do what?” Mineral Water rose a brow. “All I did was lightly touch your wing.” “Exactly. My wings are very ticklish.” A wide grin almost covered the bottom half of Mineral’s face. “Are they now…?” Both wings surrounded the mare, leaving only her ears and eyes visible. “Don't get any ideas.” “Too late,” Mineral sang. The bright mood of Mineral Water did help remove the quiet moments since Nightshade and Morganite’s leave; even though it cost Sugar some discomfort knowing how her friend knew she had sensitive wings. Since he was in much better spirits, Sugar felt she could ask him the reason or reasons for Mineral’s long silence. “So, how come you have been so quiet?” Sugar unwrapped herself from her wings and brought them back to her sides. “There’s been nothing to talk about,” he answered. Sugar decided to dig a little deeper. “Is… anything on your mind?” Mineral’s smile weakened. “Nothing to worry yourself with.” Just to be sure, Sugar asked, “Are you positive there isn’t anything I can do to help?” A heavy sigh escaped the stallion. “I'm…” He looked down at the cookies. “I’m just worried about Morganite.” “Is it because of how Sombra affected her?” “No,” Mineral shook his head. “It’s-” He bit his lip, his mind at work. “This may sound silly for me to say this, but I am worried about my friendship with her.” Mineral’s reason confused Sugar. “Why? You two became friends like an hour ago, and you barely know her. Besides, there is nothing wrong with having a new friend.” “You forget my habits of being a workaholic.” Another sigh left Mineral Water. “I now have three new friends to juggle. You, your sister, and now Morganite. And to be honest, one friend is enough for me right now, which is you, Sugar.” Sugar Crush understood what was upsetting her friend. “I see. You are worried about giving one friend more attention than another.” Mineral gave Sugar an amused smile. “You know me more than I know you.” “Well, you never ask me any questions about myself. But I am sure once we have our ‘date’ later tonight, you can ask away.” “You forget that Morganite and Nightshade will be most likely joining us,” Mineral said. “I do remember Morganite saying that she wanted to meet up later.” Sugar Crush rubbed her chin, thinking about what to do for the day’s later hours. She really wanted to get to know Mineral Water and Nebula by it just being him and her alone. “Well, if Morganite wants to hang out later tonight, I can tell her we have plans later this evening.” The suggestion made Mineral Water wince. “Do you think she will be mad? I don’t want to make a bad impression already.” Sugar Crush half-smiled, “Now you are starting to sound like me and worry about every detail.” It was a simple jab at herself, but the joke made the stallion laugh alongside the thestral. “Maybe I am worrying about everything a little too much,” Mineral said after his laughing was exhausted. “You are,” Sugar bluntly added. “But I understand why. And you shouldn’t worry because you have me here to help you. Understand that you don’t have to evenly spread yourself out among your friends. Some friends are closer than others, and you will make more time for those friends. If you and Morganite get close, then great! If you two only see each other when she and my sister are together, then that is fine too. Just see how you two interact first before jumping to conclusions.” The stallion opened his mouth to say, but no words came out. Only a smile was the only thing Mineral Water could do without anything stunning him. “Did my words help you?” Sugar Crush asked. Mineral Water winked, “I hope Nightshade and Morganite don’t get jealous of us if I spend more time with you.” Sugar flushed, somehow embarrassed her friend thought of her as a very close friend. Then again, he was the only friend in his life. Or… does Mineral Water have other friends? Did he have other friends besides Nebula before? Sugar made sure to archive those questions for later. She didn’t want to ruin the happy atmosphere the two ponies were having. *** Where… Where did all these ponies come from?! One of the worst things that could possibly happen for Sugar Crush and her sale was happening. A line for her Mineral Milk Cookies was forming! She did her best to look composed as Mineral aided with the transactions. Sugar was in charge of giving customers cups of milk to use and cookies to try. It was noon, and the street the Chocolate Palace was getting its typical Saturday traffic. Families, couples, and friends walked in and out of the store with happy smiles. And with the store having its business, every pony that walked inside gave Sugar Crush’s stand at least a stare. On the occasion, a customer who left the Chocolate Palace would step in line for a chance to have their own Mineral Milk Cookie. It would be strange for somepony do dislike heavy business when they wanted others to buy their product. However, Sugar Crush was that strange somepony. She was expecting her venue to be something simple. But with the consistent sales Sugar was making, the worst was beginning to happen: she was running low on cookies. Sugar kept looking down the line, her eyes catching every pony that stood in line. Her heart wanted everypony to enjoy a cookie. However, the chances of her running out of cookies were quickly on the approach. She needed to think of something fast. “Thank you, and enjoy your Saturday,” Mineral Water said with a proud smile to a stallion. Sugar knew he was there to help. Maybe he wouldn’t mind helping her even more. “Hey, umm… Mineral,” Sugar said. Mineral’s ear twitched, and it swiveled toward the mare. “What is it?” A customer stepped forward, waiting to be tended to. “Just a second,” Mineral said to the mare. It didn’t please Sugar to have the customer wait, but important matters needed to be tended to. “I noticed we are running very low on cookies,” Sugar said with a point to the plate and a half of sweets that remained. “So have I. Does that bother you.” “It does…” Sugar nodded. Her ears fell back as she said, “And… I was hoping that, if it is okay, that I go and bake some more while you sit out here and sell cookies to everypony.” Mineral Water smiled at the worried mare, “Of course it is okay. I am here to help you.” “Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to leave you alone out here to do my job and-” A purple hoof touched Sugar’s shoulder, stopping all words from leaving her lips. “Trust me when I say I love a business rush. I live for this!” He pointed a hoof at the Chocolate Palace’s doors. “Go make a massive batch. And I will get rid of this line for you in no time.” “Thanks, Mineral,” Sugar smiled, even though she felt a little guilty for abandoning Mineral. Sugar got up to leave, but not before she made an attempt to hug her friend. Just as she walked behind Mineral, Sugar stood on her hind legs and reached out her wings and arms. But just as Sugar was about to shroud him, Mineral spun around and blew on her right wing. Sugar squeaked, the thin flesh tickled by the short puff of air. The mare scurried away, upset a weakness was being used against her. *** Preparing a batch of Mineral Milk Cookies was a simple task. Milk, butter, flour, and of course, eggs were easy ingredients to add. However, the only way to have multiple flavors of milk was to make multiple batters. That meant Sugar had to make five individual mixes of her original flavors she was selling, being orange, strawberry, grape, cinnamon, and chocolate. And with the line outside, Sugar had to work quickly. A plate and a half of cookies could go quickly, and the thestral knew very well that premium items that were desired by the public may be gone just hours after the Chocolate Palace opened. Sugar Crush managed to put three batches of Mineral Milk Cookies into the oven within twenty minutes. Her first batch, the cinnamon ones, had a remainder of twelve more minutes to bake. The other two had more time to bake, and the thestral wished she could speed up the amount of time to properly heat up the cookies. However, she knew better than to simply increase the temperature in hopes that her cookies would bake faster. That would risk not only an improperly baked Mineral Milk Cookie, but it would also increase the possibility of burning them! Sugar carefully balanced a heavy sack of flower on her back as she walked over to the prepping area, ready to work on her chocolate Mineral Milk Cookie batch. When she lobbed the sack onto the counter, it ripped a little hole and spat some flower into Sugar Crush’s face. She hissed with discomfort and began to squeak out a few sneezes. But the mare had to endure the assault of white powder and resume her preparing. A few crack of some eggs later, the kitchen door opened. Raspberry walked in along with Mineral Water at her tail. Beside the stallion was the cash box hovering in a blue aura. The presence of Mineral immediately worried Sugar Crush. “What are you doing back here?” Mineral opened his mouth to answer the question when he paused to get a good look at Sugar’s white face. “Did you punch a bag of flour?” he asked while failing to hide a smile and laugh. Sugar Crush resumed her prepping while not wanting to look at Mineral Water’s grin. “Don’t test me,” she said with a grumble. “No need to be like that, Sugar,” Raspberry said. “I understand you are stressed but don’t take it out on others.” The boss’ words simmered down most of Sugar Crush’s irritation into shame. The thestral’s ears fell backward, a sign the words got to her more than she would have liked. “And as for you, Mineral,” Raspberry continued. Sugar looked over to see the pudgy mare look up at the stallion with a crease in her brow. “Do not tease my employee when she is obviously stressed. Comments like what you had just said can easily cause an argument in a work environment. You of all ponies should know that.” “Y-yes, Mam!” Mineral stuttered. Sugar Crush swayed in place, glad Raspberry was able to show Mineral Water who’s Empress at the Chocolate Palace. “To answer your question, I am back here because the cash box is full, and I want to put what you made in the safe. Also, we are out of cookies.” WHAT?!” Sugar wasn’t watching where she was aiming her egg, nor was in control of her strength and smashed it on the counter. Mineral once again started to laugh, unable to hide his amusement. At least he didn’t make any unwanted comments. “H-how did we run out so fast?! I wasn’t even gone for thirty minutes!” A “ding” from one of the timers echoed through the kitchen. However, Sugar was not prepared for it and was startled by its abrupt chime. As she frantically took the fresh batch out of the oven, Mineral explained, “I managed to have two customers at a time to knock out the line much quicker. I ran out, when there were about… five customers in line.” Sugar Crush was instantly upset at the fact, and the effects of failing her customers seeped into her mood. “Did the remaining ponies leave upset with me…?” Sugar placed the fresh sweets on the cooling rack and turned to see what Mineral and Raspberry were doing while she tended to her prepping. Mineral allowed Rasberry to take the cash box back to her office, leaving himself to be alone with Sugar. “Not at all,” the stallion answered. “In fact, I told them that a fresh batch was on its way. And I know nopony who liked cookies wouldn’t want a cookie right out of the oven.” “That’s… true…” A positive vibe began to slowly disinfect Sugar’s bothered mood. “Also, I talked to your boss, and even though she said she wouldn’t help you with your sale, Rasberry saw how much business and profit it would bring to her business. So, she is willing to help us for a little while.” “R-really!?” Sugar briskly made for Raspberry’s office. Just as the boss entered re-entered the kitchen, she was greeted by a joyful thestral. “Thank you so much, Raspberry!” Sugar Crush hugged her employer while trying not to crush the unicorn from being overly relieved. “Your welcome, Sugar,” Raspberry said, patting the employee’s shoulder. “But only for a little bit! I still have my store to focus on as well.” “I understand.” Sugar removed herself and went back to her station. Mineral was standing by the prepping area, eating one of the freshly baked cookies. “You better pay for that, Mineral.” “Hey, I just helped you with your sale,” Mineral grinned. Before their little bout could resume, Raspberry cleared her throat loudly. “No unnecessary comments in my kitchen. Anymore arguing and I will be forced to write you both up.” “Yes, Mam!” both Sugar and Mineral responded, intimidated by the Chocolate Palace’s Empress. In long, proud strides, Raspberry exited the kitchen with nothing else to say. “Your boss is quite the mare,” Mineral said. “I like that from an employer.” “She can also be quite scary,” Sugar whispered. “And I know a thing or two about scary things.” *** A loud yawn escaped Sugar Crush as she sat at her stand. Mineral Water was sitting beside her as he began to stack the empty plates onto one another. The bright late-afternoon sun glared down at him and Sugar Crush. Sugar was wearing her large shades to prevent herself from going blind. Mineral couldn’t deny that the day he had endured was quite taxing on his body. He had forgotten what it was like to endure the rush of public business. But that did not mean he disliked the huge surge of work. After he finished the simple task of stacking plates, Mineral Water let out a huge stretch and proclaimed, “That was a goooooooood day of work!” Even though Sugar Crush’s eyes were not visible, her creased brows were enough to show Mineral her mood. “Are you kidding?! It was crazy! First, we had a line form! Then, we ran out of cookies! And shortly after, we had to get more milk from the market!” Mineral Water was amused with how Sugar Crush complained about the success of her bake sale. A comment that involved teasing Sugar taunted Mineral. He knew that if he used it against the exhausted mare, Raspberry would be quick to write him up, which concerned the stallion, considering how he wasn’t employed at the Chocolate Palace. Instead of running the risk of having his actions filed, Mineral Water simply rubbed his friend’s shoulder. “But you made it. And from all the positivity given to your Mineral Milk Cookies, I am proud to say that it was a grand success.” Sugar Crush nodded, “I think so, too.” She stuck out her tongue and said, “I just feel gross and sweaty. Never in my life have I had to bake so much and so quickly!” Mineral Water noticed his friend’s coat, specifically the shine it had. The Crystal Coat Sugar once had faded. Only a few twinkles sparkled here and there every time the mare moved, but that was all. He wondered if he could make his body wash more resistant to sweat to allow the Crystal Effect to linger longer, but thought against it. The Crystal Coat may be something special, but to Mineral Water, he saw it in a different light; in a way, it was like body paint and should be easily washed off if somepony wanted it removed if the coat was no longer wanted. “How long does it take you to get to the moon?” Mineral Water asked. “I’m sure you want to get ready for this evening and our date.” The idea of the two holding hooves crossed his mind, and Mineral had to break eye contact with Sugar. “About… forty-five minutes. Maybe? Thirty if I hustle.” Sugar tilted her head forward to peak at Mineral with her actual eyes. “Why do you ask?” Mineral Water flushed, “You could… come over to my place and shower to wash up. Or you could bath if you prefer… Just to save you the trip.” The sun fell behind the building in front of the Chocolate Palace, allowing Sugar Crush to remove her shades. She beamed at her flustered friend, “That’s very sweet of you to think of me like that. I would love to.”