Gustave LeGrand, the famous griffon pastry chef, sighed in relief as he lifted the empty éclair shell. This one was the last of the batch he had made for Prince Blue Blood’s birthday banquet. It had been hard, exacting work. The prince always demanded perfection, and when it came to perfection, Gustave trusted no one but himself!
He picked up the pastry bag full of sweet, lemony cream, carefully inserted the nozzle into the éclair, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
KNOCK, KNOCK!
“Sacre!” The startled Griffon dug his talons into the bag... hard. POP! The éclair exploded with a hissing puff. Gustave flinched as a large blob of the lemony confection struck him between the eyes.
“GAH!” Growling, he fumbled around for a clean cloth to wipe his face.
KNOCK, KNOCK!
“Comme dans! Idiot!” he shouted crossly.
The kitchen door slowly creaked open, revealing an Earth pony mare with a cinnamon brown coat and cream-colored mane. Her eyes widened at the sight of the angry griffon.
“M-M-Maestro?” she asked hesitantly.
Gustave looked surprised. “Cinnamon Roll?”
“Oui, Maestro,” Cinnamon replied with a shy smile. She slowly stepped inside followed closely by an equally hesitant Gulliand. The older griffon’s eyes narrowed.
“And my nephew,” he muttered sourly.
“Oui,” replied Gulliand gulping. He and Cinnamon gazed guiltily at the remains of the ruined éclair. “We are sorry to disturb you, Uncle Gustave, but we needed to speak to you right away.”
“Heh!” Gustave snorted. “You both know that I should never be disturbed while I am working! Especially on a project of such tres importance!” He wiped his talons on the cloth. “You are lucky it was only one éclair. Zee prince would be most furious if his order was ruined.”
Cinnamon Roll picked up another clean cloth and carefully wiped away a dollop of cream that hung from the end of the griffon’s long mustache. “It’s okay, Maestro,” she said soothingly. “Like you said, it was just one éclair. That should be no problem for a top baker like you.”
Gustave’s feathery chest swelled at the praise. “You are right, my prized pupil. It is no trouble at all for one such as I!”
He seized another éclair shell from a nearby tray and carefully poked the tip of the pastry bag into the fill hole. With a smooth, practiced ease, he filled the éclair perfectly and set it triumphantly on the tray with the others. Cinnamon Roll cheered and clapped her hooves.
“I knew you could do it!”
Gustave blushed at the praise. Gulliand had to turn away to keep from laughing at the way Cinnamon Roll played on the grumpy griffon's vanity. No doubt, the little mare had his uncle wrapped around her hoof.
“Now, zat is finished,” said the Griffon chef, placing a parchment over the finished eclairs. “What is it zat you wished to see me about?”
“Well…” said Gulliand, nervously as his uncle turned his sharp eyes on them. He glanced at his pony fiancé who was blushing brightly next to him. “Cinnamon and I wanted you to be the first to know that…we are engaged.”
Gustave gasped, his eyes darting to the silver bracelet on the Earth pony’s leg and the lovely diamond that hung from it. He looked questioningly at Cinnamon Roll, who was blushing, looking at the floor.
“Is this true, mon petit cheval?” he asked.
Cinnamon Roll nodded. “Oui, Maestro.”
Gustave closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “I knew zees was coming. When he first gave you zat bracelet, I knew he would one day ask for your hoof in marriage.” He narrowed his eyes at Gulliand. “And has my nephew told you what he plans to do? Where he plans to go, EH?”
“Yes, Maestro.”
“And you are willing to follow him? Follow my… idiot nephew to Griffonstone to open a…” His beak wrinkled in distaste. “a…restaurant?”
“Yes, Maestro,” replied Cinnamon earnestly.
Gustave sighed again. “I was afraid you would say zat,” he murmured sadly. Cinnamon was surprised when he clasped her little hoof in both talons before continuing. “In all zee years I have taught at zee college, never have I had such a student as you! So smart! So talented! I had hoped you would stay in Canterlot and work with me in my bakery. I tell you truly, zere is no one I would trust more with my business zan you.”
Gently, he lifted her hoof to his beak and gave it an affectionate peck. “You are a tres merveilleux mare. If you wish to marry Gulliand, I will give you my support.”
Tears shone in Cinnamon’s eyes. “Thank you, Maestro,” she whispered.
“Thank you, Uncle,” Gulliand murmured.
“De rien,” said Gustave, cutting his eyes at his nephew. “Now, if you will pardon me, I must make myself presentable so I can deliver zees eclairs to zee Prince.” He indicated the sticky filling that still clung to his feathers. “It may take longer than I expected.”
“Of course, Maestro,” said Cinnamon, kissing the griffon fondly on each cheek. She turned to her fiancé. “I’m ready to leave when you are.”
Gulliand caught a look from his uncle. “Go ahead, Cherie! I’ll be there in a moment,” he said. Cinnamon Roll walked outside. The moment the door closed behind her, Gustave turned to his nephew.
"Her family, do they know about zees?" he asked.
“Not yet," replied Gulliand. "They’re having a dinner party this weekend. We thought we would break the news then.”
Gustave nodded approvingly. “Tres bien. And…um…you have met her parents before, no?”
“Yes. I met them at last year’s Gala.”
Gustave glanced at the door before leaning in close to whisper. “And her Papa…is he truly a dragon?”
Gulliand nodded. “Not a big one, but yes. He is a dragon.”
"Oooh, LA!" the Griffon chef shuddered. "You are braver zan me!" He narrowed his eyes at the young griffon. "And your parents..." he added. "Have you told them yet?"
Gulliand looked uncomfortable. “Not yet. I…I just asked her last night and…”
“Idiot!" snapped Gustave, snatching off his chef's hat to swat his errant nephew. "You have been with her for almost three years! You gave her zat bracelet last year! And yet you have said nothing to zem?”
"I'm going to tell them, I promise!" cried Gulliand, trying to avoid the blows.
"When?" the older griffon raged. "On your wedding day or when you introduce them to their grandchildren?"
"UGH! I'll tell them! I'll write them tomorrow and I'll introduce her when they come for my graduation! Just stop hitting me!"
"GOOD!" Gustave ceased his assault and crammed his battered torque onto his head where it flopped over like a stocking cap. “You know how our family is. Always, always up to something to put more bits in zee bank. I wouldn't be surprised if they have already chosen a wealthy bride for you."
Gulliand gulped at the thought. "Y-y-you think so?"
The griffon chef shrugged. "I wouldn't put it beyond zem. It was zere idea that you become a pastry chef in Equestria so you could make beaucoup bits like moi! They were most furious when you decided to become a regular chef."
Gulliand cringed, remembering the heated letter he had received from his parents. Only the fact that his uncle was footing the bill for his education kept them from pulling him out.
"I-I will tell them, Uncle. I will definitely let them know."
"Tres bien," Gustave replied. "Because, believe me, nephew, if you break zat petit mare’s heart, a dragon will be zee least of your worries!”
“Yo! Congrats, you two!”
Cinnamon and Gulliand stood side by side, grinning as the little mare showed off her diamond. “Thank you, Professor Joe.”
“Hey! We’re not in the classroom, kids! Just call me Donut Joe!" said the beige-colored unicorn happily. "I’m honored you two decided to tell me about your engagement in person.”
“You’ve been such a friend to both of us, we couldn’t leave you out of the loop,” said Gulliand. “I will not forget how you helped me talk to my uncle about not being a pastry chef.”
The unicorn shook his head sadly. "Old Gussy took it real hard. Gotta admit, I was kinda disappointed, too. You're one talented baker! But, hey! If you don't wanna do somethin' then you shouldn't have to!"
“Thank you, Joe." said Gulliand gratefully.
The baker pony nodded. "You're welcome. And now!" He looked at the two of them, his face beaming in eagerness. "It's time to celebrate! What are ya in the mood for? Whatever you want, it's on the house!”
“Oh!" exclaimed Cinnamon, glancing furtively at her fiance'. Neither of them wished to impose on the unicorn's hospitality. "Uh, maybe...just a donut apiece and some milk?" she suggested shyly.
“Just a donut…!” Donut Joe's eyes widened in horror at the humble request. “Oh, no! No, no, no! Somethin' this special deserves better than plain milk and donuts! Sit down in the booth over there and I’ll get you two somethin’ worth talkin' about!”
Shyly, the two allowed the eager unicorn to usher them into the proffered booth before he disappeared into the kitchen.
“I hope he doesn’t go through too much trouble,” Cinnamon murmured anxiously.
Gulliand smiled and patted her hoof reassuringly. "If it makes him happy to do something special for us, we should just accept it. Joe has been a wonderful teacher and a great friend." The griffon sighed wistfully. "I will miss him. Along with Professor Saffron Marsala and her father Coriander Cumin."
Cinnamon nodded, almost tearing up as she thought of the many friends she had made at the school. Despite what the pastel unicorns had told her on her first day, the school had been warm and welcoming. Most of the students had been unicorns but there had also been plenty of Earth and Pegasi mixed in. The professors, most of whom were actual chefs with their own restaurants and bakeries, had been delighted to pass on their knowledge to the students. Granted, some of them had been strict and exacting. One chef named Gourmet Relish often used words that made Cinnamon want to wash his mouth out with soap. Yet, he was honest and when he gave praise, everypony knew he meant it.
However, as Granny would say, there had been some flies in the buttermilk.
“I won’t miss Zesty Gourmand," Cinnamon muttered bitterly, referring to the famous Canterlot food critic. She had taught a class on "Restaurant Aesthetics and Presentation" at the college. None of the students had liked her. The skeletal unicorn tended to put more emphasis on appearances than taste, referring to food as "Art".
Gulliand's beak skewed at the mention of Zesty Gourmand. "I won't miss her either," he snorted in disgust. "She turned up her nose at my ratatouille saying it was 'hideous and pedestrian'!"
"I remember!" Cinnamon giggled. "And then you said 'Well, I didn't mean to make it look like you!'"
"I honestly didn't expect the other students to applaud so loudly," the griffon blushed as he laughed. "I thought for sure she would have me expelled."
"Lucky for you the other professors stuck up for you," said Cinnamon, patting his claw with a hoof. "Professor Gourmet told me he'd have given a million bits to have been there!"
“Oh, yeah! Here we go!”
Donut Joe trotted eagerly to their table carrying a tray in his aura. “Ya wanted milk?" he said, proudly setting down two large foaming mugs. "Try these Mocha lattes on for size!”
Cinnamon and Gulliand sipped from their respective mugs. The mare’s eyes widened in delight.
“This…this is delicious!”
“Creamy...with a beautiful balance of flavor," added Gulliand, clearly savoring the taste. "Absolute perfection! Thank you for sharing this!”
Donut Joe beamed at the praise. “That ain’t all. Wait till ya feast your eyes on what's comin' next!”
The couple eagerly returned to their drinks as the unicorn trotted back to the kitchen.
"This mocha really is good," sighed Cinnamon. A guilty look crossed her face. "It's...it's even better than Sugar Cube Corner's Hot Chocolate. And THAT's sayin' somethin'."
Gulliand chuckled. "You are always comparing something to the food at Sugar Cube Corner, Cherie. Perhaps you can take me there before we have dinner with your family this weekend."
"Oh, I'd love to!" Cinnamon beamed. "And while we're there we can ask the Cakes to design the cake for our wedding!"
“So, it’s true. You’re getting married.”
The couple turned to look as a familiar pink unicorn with a pearly white mane approached their table. Flanking her was the smart-mouthed sky-blue filly who had teased Cinnamon on her first day and the buttercup-colored unicorn who had imitated her Southern accent. Pearlescent Glow looked down her aristocratic nose at the Earth pony and griffon, making a face like she had smelled something bad. Gulliand and Cinnamon silently glared back, neither one wanting to sully their special news by confirming it with the mean filly.
"A little birdie told me you had gotten engaged," she said, tossing her pearly mane.
"That was me!" the buttercup filly giggled. "I saw the diamond this morning in class and I knew what that meant."
"Of course, I'm not surprised,"the pink unicorn said, smirking at the Earth filly. "It appears that cross-breeding runs in your family."
Cinnamon Roll ground her teeth in fury, unable to think any kind of come-back. Luckily, Gulliand rose to the occasion.
"And what of it?" he asked coldly. "If her mother chose to marry a dragon and Cinnamon has chosen to marry a griffon, that is none of your affair."
"Oh, of course it's not," Pearlescent Glow responded in a condescending tone. "It's none of my business who she mates with. It's just..." She aimed a faux-sympathetic look at Cinnamon. "I just can't help wondering about the poor children."
Cinnamon's eyes opened in shock. "W-what!"
"Well," said the blue unicorn. "You do have that little brother who's a dragon-pony. Stands to reason any children you have with a griffon would be half pony, too."
"Hmmm, I wonder what you would call a pony that's part griffon," said the yellow unicorn, tapping her chin. She sounded more curious than teasing. "Would that be a griffon-pony? A pony-griffon?"
"Or maybe a Pony-bird!" quipped the blue filly, earning a giggle from the others.
"Actually, I believe the term you are looking for is Hippogriff," said a new female voice.
The unicorns ceased giggling as everyone turned to face the speaker. Standing only a few feet away was a pretty, purple alicorn filly with a flowing pink and blue mane. Though not quite as tall as Pearlescent, she gave off an aura of regal authority that none of the three pastel unicorns had. Cinnamon's eyes lit up in recognition.
"Twinkle Sparkle!"
The little alicorn winked at the Earth filly before turning her attention back to the three bullies.
"Back before the war between Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom, there were many ponies who married and had children with griffons," she explained as if she were a teacher instructing some very slow pupils. "Those children were called Hippogriffs."
The yellow unicorn tilted her head in confusion. "How can they be called Hippogriffs? It's griffons and ponies, not griffons and hippopotamus."
Pearlescent and the blue filly both face-hoofed. Twinkle gave the yellow filly a bemused stare, before reaching up to gently pat her on the head.
"Oh, you poor thing. And your family just lets you out in public like this."
Cinnamon and Gulliand couldn't help snickering. Pearlescent Glow tried to save face by pulling herself up to her full height so she could look down her nose at Twinkle. The little alicorn just gazed back, looking highly amused.
"I do not believe anypony asked for your opinion," Pearlescent began, coolly.
"Oh, that wasn't an opinion, that was a fact," replied Twinkle smiling. "Griffon-pony children really are called Hippogriffs."
Pearlescent huffed. "That is besides the point! This was a private conversation and--"
"Actually, it sounded like you and your friends were bullying them," Twinkle interrupted. She was still smiling, but there was a hardness in her eyes. "And I know for a fact that all the schools in Canterlot have an anti-bullying policy. Or should I ask your Dean about that...."
Pearlescent's friends backed away, looking worried. The pink unicorn just sneered.
“What are you worried about?" she asked the others. "She isn’t a real princess. She’s just the daughter of some nerdy pony who was turned into an alicorn and rules from some backwoods Earth pony dump.”
Twinkle's eyes narrowed dangerously at the insult. "Oh, reeeeeeeally?" she asked, her horn glowing purple.
“Yes! Really!"
SPLAT!
Pearlescent Glow screeched as a large cherry pie suddenly appeared in the air above her head and smacked into her face. Cinnamon and Gulliand fell out laughing and the pastel ponies stood wide-eyed as the pink unicorn frantically pawed red pie filling from her eyes.
“You little pig!” she screeched, slinging some of the cherry filling at Twinkle. “You disgusting, low-life, little slut!”
Suddenly a voice began to croon:
“When the moon hits your eye
Like a big cherry pie
That’s amore!”
Standing in a spotlight holding a microphone was gray colt with a rough pink mane. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a neat bow tie. He flashed a smile that showed off one sharp looking fang before continuing to sing.
"When your throat feels like silk
Cause you drank chocolate milk
That's amore!"
"ZANY?" Cinnamon Roll gasped in surprise.
“Live and in person,” the draconequess colt took a bow as the sound of canned applause filled the diner. The yellow unicorn gaped at him, her mouth hung open in shock.
"H-how is he doing magic without a horn?" she squeaked.
"Oh, the same way I manage to defy gravity!" he answered, floating up towards the ceiling. He turned upside down and began to walk across one of the beams. "And make things appear..." POOF! A violin appeared next to Cinnamon and Gulliand, playing a sweet romantic tune. "And make things disappear..." POOF! All traces of the pie vanished from Pearlescent's face. "And just make stuff come alive!" POOF! The coffee mugs began to slowly waltz with the music.
"It's called Chaotic Magic," Zany added, with heavy emphasis on the word "chaotic". He stepped closer to the fillies, grinning a diabolical grin that showed off his fang. "It's a little something I inherited from my Dad."
The sky-blue unicorn was the first catch on. "Y-y-you're Discord's son!"
"Ah! Such a smart pony!" cried Zany, making a mortarboard and tassel appear on the unicorn's head. "Too bad that doesn't make you wise. Now..." The pastel ponies stepped back nervously as he glared at them with his red swirling eyes.
“Which one of you was it who referred to my marefriend as a pig and a...slut?”
The blue and yellow unicorns quickly stepped back leaving Pearlescent exposed. The unicorn mare nervously licked her lips as Zany stepped closer.
"I believe you owe my marefriend an apology," he said quietly. "Then, you need to apologize to this nice couple for interrupting their date. After that, you and your friends can go back to your booth and we can forget this whole little incident. What do you say?"
Pearlescent Glow glanced at her posse who were edging themselves back towards the booth. She looked at Twinkle Sparkle and Cinnamon Roll and Gulliand. Their smug looks were unbearably infuriating. She turned back to Zany.
"Humph!" she grunted, tossing her head defiantly. "I'll apologize when pigs fly!"
Cinnamon could tell by the delighted grin on Zany's face that he was hoping she would say that.
"Your wish is my command!"
POOF!
Pearlescent Glow shrieked as an enormous pink pig with white wings suddenly appeared under her. Zany opened the door to the diner before giving the pig a hearty swat on it's backside. The pig startled then zipped out the door, a screaming Pearlescent riding on his back. The other two unicorns quickly followed after them.
Donut Joe came running from the kitchen, his horn lit up. "What the hay's goin' on in here?" he demanded.
"Sorry, Joe," said Twinkle Sparkle. "Some ponies were picking on our friends and Zany had to show them the door."
Joe glanced at the draconequess colt and grunted. "Good! I don't put up with anypony bullying my customers!" He then turned his attention to Cinnamon and Gulliand, a smile lighting face. "And don't worry, I ain't forgot youse two!" The unicorn hurried back to the kitchen. He returned a minute later levitating a platter in his aura.
"As the Prench say, Bon Appetite!"
All four ponies gasped as he laid down one of the most scrumptious cakes they had ever seen. It was a three-tiered cake consisting of three large cake donuts piled one on top of another and carefully drizzled with Joe's signature glaze. Cinnamon and Gulliand leaned forward and breathed in the delicious aroma.
"Mmmmm! It smells wonderful, Joe!"
Gulliand turned to Twinkle and Zany. "Please, won't you join us? We would be happy to share it with you."
"We would be honored!"
The little alicorn slid in beside Cinnamon, giving the little Earth pony a hug as she did so, while Zany squeezed in next to the larger griffon. Donut Joe returned with extra forks and lattes for everyone. As they bit into the cake, everyone's eyes rolled up in ecstasy.
"Oooooh," Cinnamon moaned. "Istallion Cream...in a donut! How w-w-wonderful!"
"Mmmmmm! Perfection!" Gulliand purred like a cat.
"I-I-I gotta tell Princess Luna about this," gasped Twinkle.
"Oh, dude," groaned Zany who was sporting a pair of round-framed sunglasses and a purple paisley shirt. "That is some awesome cake."
"Thanks," said Joe, proudly puffing out his chest. "It's a little somethin' I've been workin' on for a while. I'm glad you like it but--uh--could ya keep it down a little?" He glanced up as a group of customers came in the door. "Ya startin' to sound obscene."
"Mmmmm," drawled Zany as the unicorn hurried to wait on his new customers. "I don't smoke, but I sure am craving a cigarette."
"What a gorgeous diamond!"
Cinnamon Roll blushed as Twinkle admired the gem. She and Gulliand had officially confirmed their good news with Twinkle and Zany over the cake and lattes. "Thank you, Twinkle."
"Have you told your folks yet?" asked Zany.
"Not yet," said Cinnamon. "Gulliand just asked me last night."
"We were planning on breaking the news at the dinner on Saturday," Gulliand added.
"Oh, yes!" cried Twinkle. "I heard the Cutie Mark Crusaders will be there, too! It'll be the perfect time to tell everyone."
"Yeah!" added Zany. "And we'll be there to back you up!"
Cinnamon Roll gave the draconequess a grateful smile. "Thank you, Zany. To be honest, I am a bit nervous about tellin' 'em. Remember how funny they acted when I introduced them to Gulliand at the Gala?"
"I'm sure they were just surprised," said Twinkle, patting her friend's hoof. "I mean, you didn't tell them you were dating a griffon until the last possible moment."
Cinnamon Roll cringed. "I know. And that was wrong of me." She reached across the table to take Gulliand's claw in her hoof. "I'm not ashamed to be in love with a griffon."
Gulliand dropped his eyes guiltily as he squeezed her hoof. "And I am not ashamed...for loving you," he murmured.