The sun was barely peeking over the horizon as the morning train chugged into Ponyville. The dew on the nearby fields shined like silver in the soft morning light. The fluffy clouds overhead glowed like pink pearls in a soft bed of blue.
All of this beauty was lost on Gulliand. The griffon lay sprawled out on one of the train car’s benches, sound asleep, his head cradled in Cinnamon Roll’s lap. The brown Earth pony sat, absently stroking his soft feathery neck. The griffon grinned in his sleep, nestling his head deeper into her lap. Twinkle Sparkle, who was seated directly across from the two, glanced up from her book as a low rhythmic rumble broke the silence.
“Is he… purring?” she asked.
Cinnamon nodded, her body shaking with suppressed laughter. “He swears up and down that he doesn’t do it, but he does! Watch this.”
Cinnamon Roll rubbed his chest in a soft, circular motion. “MMMMMMM!” the purring increased in volume until the fillies could barely hear the rattling of the train over it. Twinkle Sparkle giggled.
“Not much of an Early Bird, is he?” she asked once the purring had dropped back down a few notches
“Nope,” Cinnamon grinned. “It makes his Uncle Gustave mad as a hatter! Bakers always get up before the dawn to do their baking, you know. Hee-hee! He once told me, and I quote, ‘Zee only way zat one will rise in zee morning is if you put zee baking powder in his sheets!’”
Twinkle snorted. “Princess Luna is the same way. Of course, she works at night, so it might not be a fair comparison. She once attended a big breakfast meeting with some of the nobles and ended up face-planting into her pancakes!”
“Gulliand did that once with an egg custard! It was right in the middle of an early morning class. One moment he dishing it out, and the next he was asleep with his head in the pot!” Cinnamon laughed out loud at the memory. “And he was snoring, too! You could hear it echoing inside the pot!”
Gulliand shifted on her lap. “Ugh! Why do you have to tell every creature that story?” he mumbled.
The little filly replied by booping his beak with her hoof. “Because it’s funny, Sweetie.”
Twinkle grinned at the two until she noticed something.
“Hey, Cinnamon, where’s your diamond? It didn’t fall off, did it?”
“No, I took it off and put it in my saddlebag. I wanted our announcement to be a surprise.”
WHOO! WHOO! The train whistle blew loudly. The brakes screeched and the three travelers braced themselves as the car slowed then bumped to a stop at the station. Cinnamon excitedly leaped from her seat, dumping Gulliand onto the floor in the process.
“Ouch!”
“We’re here! We’re here!” squealed Cinnamon Roll. She grabbed Gulliand by the arm and hauled him up with a strength that surprised him. “Come on, Sugarcube! This ain’t no time for laying around! I gotta show Ponyville to you!”
“And show you to Ponyville,” Twinkle chuckled.
The three quickly exited the train car, Cinnamon almost dragging the larger griffon in her excitement. There was a surprisingly large number of ponies at the station that morning, mostly families going up to Canterlot for the day. Cinnamon, however, only had eyes for the three ponies standing away from the crowd. Two of them appeared to be regular adult-sized ponies. The third was colt-sized but there was nothing regular about him. He was light brown with a spiky green mane and a tail like a dragon. The colt’s green eyes lit up with excitement as he caught sight of the brown Earth mare.
“Cinnamon Roll!” he yelled, rearing up on his back legs to wave frantically to her.
“Applespike!” she cried, dropping the griffon’s arm as she galloped over to the group. Cinnamon caught the dragon-pony in a tight hug before turning her attention to the other two ponies. One was a gray unicorn mare with blonde hair and off kilter eyes. The other was a brown Earth stallion with a short, dark brown mane. The stallion grinned.
“Hey, little sis!”
“Cinnamon Stick!” Cinnamon Roll squealed, throwing her arms around her big brother’s neck. “Oh, I haven’t seen you since Hearth’s Warming! And Dinky!” she turned to the gray mare and enveloped her in a hug that took the unicorn’s breath away. “It’s so good to see you, Sugar cube!”
“It’s good to see you, too” replied Dinky in her soft, sweet voice. She cocked her head to peer at Gulliand who was standing behind Cinnamon Roll. “And is this the great griffon chef we’ve heard so much about?”
“I wouldn’t say great,” the griffon replied, giving her a little smile. “Maybe just pretty good.”
Cinnamon Roll chuckled. “Okay, guys, let me introduce you properly. Gulliand, this is my older brother Cinnamon Stick and his wife Dinky. Cinnamon Stick, Dinky…this is Gulliand.”
“Charmed,” said Gulliand, taking Dinky’s hoof and bowing over it. The unicorn blushed at the charming gesture. Cinnamon Stick just frowned.
“He’s nice,” Dinky whispered to Cinnamon Roll.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” said Cinnamon Stick, stepping forward to offer his hoof. Gulliand took the proffered hoof, frowning slightly at the stallion’s overly tight grip. It did not hurt, but he could feel the strength behind it and a glance at the stallion’s narrowed eyes told him he was meant to. Had this been anypony else, he would have gladly risen to the challenge, watching the stallion’s knees buckle as he tightened his own grip. However, this was Cinnamon Roll’s brother-- his future brother-in-law—so, he just smiled politely and murmured.
“The pleasure is mine.”
“And I believe you’ve already met Applespike,” said Cinnamon Roll, gesturing to the dragon-pony.
“Ah, yes!” Gulliand smiled as he shook the colt’s hoof. “I remember you from the Gala! You said it would be great to have another chef in the family.”
Applespike blushed at the memory. “Yeah, that kinda slipped out. I hope I didn’t embarrass ya’ll too much.”
“Not at all! I was rather flattered you would consider having me as part of your family.”
Applespike beamed. “Hey, anyone who can cook as good as you can is welcome as far as I’m concerned! Aunt Pinkie Pie went on for months about that gumbo you made for her and Aunt Twilight for their trip to Whinnyapolis.”
“She said you were a keeper,” chirped Dinky with a wink. Cinnamon Stick frowned.
Gulliand blushed. “Well, I must meet this Pinkie Pie. I remember her leading the line dance at the Gala, but I was never introduced.”
“She was busy helping the band set up,” explained Cinnamon Roll. “She and the Tri-Pies.”
“Ah! The triplets! I remember you telling me about them. Each of them is named after a kind of pie?”
“Yep! Blueberry, Cherry, and Raspberry.”
“But no Apple,” said Cinnamon Stick, shaking his head. “Granny was real put out about that.”
GRRRRRUUUUAAARRRGHH!
Every creature startled at the roaring sound. Cinnamon Stick and Applespike moved closer to Dinky while Twinkle lit up her horn, ready to fight any predator from the Everfree that might be lurking nearby.
“What the hay was that?” Cinnamon Stick whispered, looking around. Suddenly, Cinnamon Roll let out a loud laugh. Gulliand’s white cheek feathers were glowing bright pink.
“Sorry,” the griffon murmured sheepishly. “I didn’t have time for breakfast this morning. And all this talk of food is making me hungry.”
“Whew! Thank Celestia,” said Applespike, wiping his brow. “I thought for a moment there a hydra had done got us!”
Gulliand gave the dragon-pony a wry smile. “Is there any place open this early where we can get a bite to eat?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered,” Dinky chirped, levitating a basket covered with a cloth. “I brought muffins!”
“Oh, wonderful! Gulliand isn’t the only one who missed breakfast!” Cinnamon Roll and Twinkle helped themselves to some apple-cinnamon muffins while Gulliand chose blueberry. The mares’ eyes closed in delight as they bit into the delicious confection.
“Oh, that is good,” Twinkle gushed, licking a stray crumb from her lips. “And that crunchy strudel on top is fantastic! Wish there was some cold fresh milk to go with it.”
“Ahem,” Applespike grinned smugly as he pulled a bottle of cold milk and some cups from his saddlebag. Laughing happily, the group sat down on some nearby benches and enjoyed their muffins. Gulliand ate his slowly, savoring every bite.
“This is most excellent, Madam Dinky,” he said after a while. “The texture of your muffins is perfect! It’s not hard yet not crumbly. And the flavor is sweet, but not too sweet. And the blueberries! I can taste them so clearly! Are they fresh picked?”
“I wish,” said Dinky, simpering a little at the praise. “Blueberries aren’t in season yet. Cinnamon Stick and I picked these ourselves last season and flash froze them to preserve the flavor.”
Gulliand shook his head, marveling. “Frozen or not, this is better than any I have tasted in Canterlot. Tell me, have you ever tried lemon curd on your muffins?”
Dinky’s eyes went wide. “Well, no. I haven’t heard of anyone doing that before.”
“It is delicious on blueberry scones,” said Gulliand warming to the subject. “The zesty sweetness compliments the flavor of the blueberries. I even use it on blueberry pancakes.”
“It’s really good,” Cinnamon Roll put in.
“Out here we just use good old butter on our muffins,” said Cinnamon Stick. His voice was quiet but with a slight edge to it. “It compliments everything.”
Cinnamon Roll looked sharply at her brother but Gulliand only nodded, “Butter is delicious. I’ve never had any fresh from the farm before. I need to sample some before I leave.” He turned back to Dinky. “I’ll gladly give you the recipe for the lemon curd if you would like to try it.”
“Oh, yes, I would!” cried the unicorn eagerly. “I like to try new things.”
“Unless it’s a cupcake,” Cinnamon Roll teased, giving her sister-in-law a playful nudge.
As the four conferred on the recipe, Twinkle slid closer to Applespike.
“Where is Zany?” she asked. “I thought he was planning on meeting me here.”
“Change of plan,” said the dragon-pony shaking his head. “Uncle Discord found out about Zany’s ‘unchaperoned’ trip to Canterlot this week, so now he’s confined to his room until further notice.”
Twinkle face-hoofed. “Not again!”
“Well, what did you expect?” asked Applespike, shrugging. “You know how Uncle Discord feels about the two of you dating. And it sure don’t help that Zany keeps sneaking off to visit you every week. Don’t worry about it,” he added, patting her sympathetically. “I know he’ll be at the dinner tonight.”
“Yeah,” the little alicorn growled. “With Uncle Discord enforcing that stupid ‘You-Can’t-Come-Within-Twelve-Inches-of-Each-Other’ Rule! Wouldn’t be so bad if Mom didn’t back him up. She actually has her own measuring stick now!”
“Whew, am I glad Fancy Pants isn’t like that about Jewel,” muttered Applespike, referring to Rarity’s youngest daughter. The two of them had been together ever since the dragon-pony, with the help of Zany and Twinkle, had rescued Jewel from a bad situation.
“Anyway, you know Discord is really protective about his kids. And you are your Mom’s only child. They’re just trying to keep ya’ll outta trouble.”
“I suppose,” Twinkle grumbled. “This is what I get for dating the Crown Prince of Chaos.”
Meanwhile, the sun had risen higher in the sky and Ponyville was starting to show signs of life. Street vendors were setting up their carts along the main street. A bell tinkled as a nearby shop opened its doors. The warm smell of baked goods wafted from the ovens at Sugar Cube Corners..
“Oh, we need to get back to the shop!” cried Dinky, jumping up. “I’ve got some orders I need to fill! We’ll see you guys at dinner tonight! It was nice to meet you Gulliand!”
“The pleasure was mine,” replied the griffon with a bow.
“Later, Sis!” said Cinnamon Stick, giving his sister a hug. He gave the griffon cool nod “Gulliand.”
Gulliand copied the gesture. “Cinnamon Stick.”
Cinnamon Roll glared after her brother as he left with Dinky. “I’m sorry, Sweetheart,” she said to Gulliand. “I don’t know what’s got into him.”
“It’s alright, Cherie. He is just behaving like an older brother.” The griffon placed a comforting wing over her, drawing her close. “At least he didn’t threaten me with a pitchfork!”
Applespike chortled. “Cinnamon must have told you about what happened at Ma and Pa’s wedding.”
Gulliand stared wide-eyed at the dragon-pony. “W-what?”
“I’ll explain later,” said Cinnamon Roll, giving him a quick nuzzle. “Come on. Let me show you Ponyville!”
Though it was still too early for most businesses to be open, quite a few ponies were up preparing their shops and setting out displays. Unlike the city, there was no mad rushing. Everypony went about their tasks with a cheerful calmness. Gulliand, who had never been to a small pony town, looked around in interest. The houses were rustic with the neatly thatched roofs Earth ponies favored. He grinned at the whimsical shapes of some of the commercial buildings. There was a clothing boutique shaped like a giant Carousel and a bake shop shaped like a gingerbread house! Cinnamon stopped in front of a shop with a sign shaped like a wrapped piece of candy where a white mare was busy sweeping the steps.
“Good morning, Bon-Bon!” Cinnamon Roll called. The mare whirled around, her face breaking into a grin.
“Cinnamon Roll!” she cried, dropping the broom to engulf the filly in a hug. “I am so glad to see you! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!”
“Thank you, Bon-Bon.”
“And Twinkle, it’s so good to see you again! Ooooh! And who is this?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at Gulliand.
“This is my special some-griffon, Gulliand. We attend college together. Gulliand, this is Bon-Bon, Ponyville’s master candy maker.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Madame Bon-Bon,” he said, taking her hoof with a bow.
“Oh, such good old Equestrian manners!” cried Bon-Bon approvingly. “So genteel and polished! I hear from Pinkie that you make a mean gumbo.”
Gulliand rolled his eyes. “I have been told that, yes.”
“I need to introduce him to Pinkie Pie,” said Cinnamon Roll. “Right now, I’m givin’ him a tour of the town.”
“That’s wonderful, Sweetie! In fact…” Bon-Bon’s face lit up excitedly. “Since you’re here, you guys can sample my latest creation! You don’t mind, do you? I would like the opinion of a real chef…”
Gulliand and Cinnamon Roll regarded each other a moment. “Well, we’re not chefs yet,” said Cinnamon slowly. “But, sure. We’d be glad to help.”
“Thanks! Back in a tick!” Bon-Bon disappeared into her shop, reappearing a minute later carrying a tray that appeared to be covered in small balls of chocolate.
“It’s a new recipe I’m trying,” she explained, offering the tray to the four. “You inspired it Cinnamon Roll, but I did some research on Mexicolt culture and I think I got it right. What do you think?”
Cinnamon Roll bit into hers. The chocolate was strong and quite bitter though a touch of sweetness kept it from being too powerful. As it melted, a new sensation made her tongue tingle. Her nostrils flared and the taste became stronger.
“Chilies,” cried Gulliand, his eyes opening wide. “Chilies with chocolate! I have tried this before, but never like this! It tastes so…true and pure.”
Bon-Bon grinned. “It’s the chocolate, I bet. I used an old Quezecoltal recipe. Pure chocolate, no milk, just a touch of sugar to cut the bitterness and chilies…" She tossed her mane and added in a soft, sultry voice. "To awaken the passion!"
Cinnamon Roll and Gulliand glanced at each other before quickly turning away, their cheeks blushing crimson. Twinkle’s face blazed hot, her thoughts suddenly full of a certain handsome draconequess colt. Only Applespike seemed unaffected.
“This is pretty good, Miss Bon-Bon. I think I’ll buy a couple dozen for the dinner tonight.”
“It is… very good,” said Gulliand a little shakily. A bead of sweat slid down his face. “Cinnamon Roll was not joking when she said you were a master candy maker.”
Bon-Bon blushed a bright pink. “Thank you! Coming from chefs like you two, that’s praise indeed.”
“Well,” said Cinnamon Roll, her voice coming out as a high-pitched squeak. “We’d like to stay, but I still have some places I want to show Gulliand before going to the farm. It was good to see you.”
“It was good to see you, too! And thank you both for the feedback!”
Cinnamon Roll waited until they were out of sight of Bon-Bon’s shop before snatching the bottle of milk from her brother’s saddle bag and taking a big swig.
“Hooo! That’s better,” she sighed, hoofing the bottle to Gulliand. “That candy was good but the chili spice…it kinda lingers.”
“I know,” said Gulliand, taking a small sip. “Lucky for me I like spicy foods.”
“I thought it was great,” said Applespike. “Spicy food doesn’t bother me, being part dragon and all. By the way, what did Miss Bon-Bon mean by ‘awaken the passion’?”
Blushing, Cinnamon Roll whispered the meaning in her brother’s ear. The dragon-colt’s eyes became round as saucers.
“Wow!” he muttered, staring at the white paper bag that held his candy. “Better be careful who I give these to.”
Across the street, the door to Sugar Cube Corners opened with a ding and a plump blue mare with a pink mane styled to resemble the icing on a cupcake dragged a large menu board outside. The warm smell of bread and cake wafted strongly from the open door.
“Mrs. Cake!” cried Cinnamon Roll. “Mrs. Cake!”
The blue mare turned her head, her eyes widening in delight. “Cinnamon Roll? Is that you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” cried the filly, trotting across the street to draw the mare into a hug. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you, too, sweetie,” Mrs. Cake murmured, returning the hug. “And congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We are all so proud of you! Pumpkin and Pound Cake both said you did really well in their baking classes.”
“Thank you! It felt a little weird having the Cake Twins as professors, but it turned out fine. They’re both excellent teachers.”
“Thank you, sweetie,” the blue mare murmured, her eyes wet with liquid pride. “And who is this?” she added, looking at the approaching griffon.
“Mrs. Cake, this is my special some-griffon, Gulliand. Gulliand, this is Mrs. Cake, co-owner of Sugar Cube Corners.”
“Madame,” said Gulliand, taking her proffered hoof and bowing over it. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Cinnamon Roll has nothing but the highest praise for you and your confections.”
“Oh, she’s just biased,” Mrs. Cake replied modestly, a pinkish blush illuminating her cheeks. “Please, come on in! We have some breakfast treats fresh from the oven!”
“You all go ahead,” said Twinkle Sparkle. Her cheeks were still pink and her legs were trembling slightly. “I-I-I really need to get home and…take a long, cold shower. S-see you tonight!”
“Okay. Bye!”
Cinnamon Roll, Applespike, and Gulliand stepped into the bakery. The griffon was very impressed with the layout and how neatly the table and chairs were arranged. Though quite modest, the cafe was warm and inviting. Perhaps, the fact that the restaurant was also the family’s home made it that much more appealing. The three sat at a table as the blue mare hurried behind the counter. A rich smell of fresh coffee, sweet cream, and hazelnut filled the air.
“I’m sure Dinky fed you breakfast this morning,” said Mrs. Cake returning with a tray that held three tall glasses. “Least I can do is offer you a breakfast drink.”
“Whoa!” cried Cinnamon Roll as the mare set their glasses down in front of them. “Iced coffee! When did you and Mr. Cake start serving this?”
“Jewel told us about it after she came home last year. She said it was all the rage in Manehattan. I thought it was a little silly at first, I mean who wants cold coffee? But it was very popular, especially during the summer months.”
“This is very good,” said Gulliand, smacking his tongue against his beak thoughtfully. “Vanilla, a dash of cocoa… and is that Prench Roast I taste?”
“Yes, it is!” cried Mrs. Cake in surprise. “You’re the first customer to notice that! Most can’t tell the difference between the types of coffees.”
“Gulliand is good at identifying flavors and figuring out which ones work well together,” said Cinnamon Roll proudly.
“It is true,” the griffon shrugged, taking another sip of his coffee. “It is a talent I have always had. It is one of the things that led me to being a chef.”
“If you’re in town long enough maybe you could make us some of that gumbo you made for Pinkie Pie and Princess Twilight,” said Mr. Cake, emerging from the kitchen. His yellow fur was dusted white with flour. “Both of them said it was really good.”
“Ugh!” Gulliand threw up his claws in mock annoyance. “I am beginning to think everyone in this town knows about my gumbo!”
“Well, Pinkie did spread the word around,” said Applespike with a grin. “She calls you the Gumbo Griffon.”
“PFFFFT!” Coffee sprayed across the table.
“Sorry!” Cinnamon choked, her sides heaving with suppressed laughter. “Hee-hee! I swear, I had no idea!”
Gulliand regarded his fiancée with a wry smile.
“Now, I really must meet this Pinkie Pie,” he declared, chugging down the rest of his coffee. He turned to the Cakes. “Do you know where I might find her?”
Mr. Cake put a hoof to his chin thoughtfully. “Well, she might be home right now, or at her business planning a party. Sometimes she helps us out with the lunch rush.” The stallion’s eyes strayed to the window. “But usually…” his voice trailed off.
Gulliand frowned. “Usually what?”
“Usually,” said Mr. Cake backing up slightly. “Pinkie Pie finds…YOU!”
“Wha--?”
BOOM!
The roar of a cannon rattled the café. Berry scented confetti and streamers rained down in a blinding torrent. As it cleared, a bouncing pink blur bounded into the bakery, singing at the top of its voice.
“OH, WELCOME TO PONYVILLE, WE’RE SO GLAD YOU CAME!
WE HOPE YOU LIKE YOUR VISIT, AND WE GET TO KNOW YOUR NAME!
WE’LL CELBRATE YOUR COMING, WE ALWAYS DO IT RIGHT!
WE’LL CELEBRATE YOUR VISIT WITH BIG PARTY TONIGHT!”
“Morning, Pinkie!” called Cinnamon Roll.
“Cinnamon Roll!” squealed Pinkie Pie, tackling the brown mare out of her seat. The two somersaulted across the floor until Cinnamon found herself on her back with the pink mare sitting on her tummy. “Oooh! I’m soooo glad to see you! I knew you were coming today because of the dinner at Sweet Apple Acres, but I didn’t know Gulliand, the Great Gumbo Griffon, was coming with you until my Pinkie Sense started kicking in, so I got my party cannon and headed on over to give him a big Ponyville Welcome! Uh…where is he by the way?” She asked, looking around.
Applespike smirked and pointed towards the ceiling. Everyone looked up to see the griffon hanging upside down from the ceiling, all four claws dug deep into the wood. His feathers and fur stood on end and his eyes were as wide as soup bowls.
“Um, Gulliand…”
“WHAT THE FLAP WAS THAT!” he screeched.
“That is what we around here call the Welcome Wagon,” Mr. Cake grinned. He always enjoyed watching other creature’s reactions to Pinkie’s exuberant greetings. “Pinkie Pie just goes a little overboard with it.”
Gulliand turned his head to glare at the yellow stallion. “A LITTLE?”
“Sorry, Sweetie,” Cinnamon Roll called from her place on the floor. “I guess I didn’t prepare you enough for this.”
Applespike snorted. “Nothing could prepare you for Pinkie Pie.”
“You can come down. It’s all right!”
Despite the assurances, it took a good ten minutes before Gulliand could be coaxed into releasing his death grip on the ceiling and return to the table. His fur stayed raised even after he had taken his seat and sparks flew from it when Cinnamon Roll tried to comfort him. Mrs. Cake fixed him a nice cup of chamomile tea to calm his nerves.
“Thank you, Madame,” he croaked as he accepted the cup. Mmmmm. Even frazzled as he was, he took time to savor the taste. “Delicious.”
“Don’t you know it!” cried Pinkie Pie bouncing excitedly. “Mr. and Mrs. Cake not only make the best cakes but also the bestest drinks in Equestria! Tea, lemonade, hot chocolate, or coffee! I absolutely LOVE their coffee!”
“We only serve her decaf,” Mr. Cake murmured out the side of his mouth. “For obvious reasons.” The griffon nodded.
“I am glad to finally meet you, Madame Pinkie,” he said, giving her a little nod. He didn’t dare take her hoof for fear she’d accidently punch him in the beak. “Everyone tells me you speak well of my cooking.”
“Well, DUH!” cried Pinkie, leaning in uncomfortably close. “That gumbo you made for Twilight and me was DELISH! We ate so much of it I’m surprised there was any left when we reached Whinnyapolis! But there was enough to give to Rainbow Dash and her family a bowl apiece. They all said it was great! So, it’s not just me saying it! You’re a Great Gumbo Making Griffon!”
Gulliand leaned back as far as he could, giving her a weak smile. “Thank you. I-I appreciate your critique.”
“You’re welcome,” Pinkie chirped brightly. “I’m really glad you’re Cinnamon Roll’s special somegriffon! I was just telling the Tri-Pies the other day that—”
Pinkie suddenly stopped. Her whole body became rigid, her tail stood straight up and began to rock back and forth like a metronome. Tick-tick-tick-tick. Her eyes darted back and forth, looking at Gulliand then Cinnamon Roll...Gulliand then Cinnamon Roll...Gulliand then Cinnamon Roll…
Suddenly, Pinkie gasped. A huge grin nearly split her face and her eyes widened in growing excitement. All five creatures regarded her warily.
“Uh, Pinkie…” Cinnamon Roll began.
“Well, I gotta be going, now,” said Pinkie suddenly. “There’s a lot of party planning I have to do today and I have to get ready for the dinner at Sweet Apple Acres. I’ll see you both tonight! I guarantee it!” she emphasized with a wink to the couple. She glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Cake then leaned in to whisper in Cinnamon’s ear. “I recommend a sour cream cake with buttercream icing, three tiers, and white roses.”
The brown mare did not reply but only stared in surprise as the party pony zipped out the door, leaving a small cloud of confetti in her wake. The quiet that followed was like the calm after the storm. After a moment, Gulliand resumed sipping his chamomile tea. The others stared at each other in wonder.
“Well,” said Mrs. Cake. “Pinkie must have something really important going on. That’s got to be the quickest I’ve ever seen her leave a Welcome to Ponyville celebration.”
“I know,” Mr. Cake nodded. “She didn’t even leave one of her signature cupcakes.”
As he spoke, there was a slamming noise from upstairs. As they looked up, they all saw a red balloon slowly drifting down towards the table. Attached to its string was a yellow cupcake with rainbow sprinkles. As if in a dream, Gulliand caught it and swiped off some of the icing with his talon. His eyes widened in surprise as he tasted it.
“It-it’s lemon! H-h-how did she—”
“Thanks, Pinkie!” Cinnamon Roll yelled towards the ceiling.
“You’re welcome!” came the muffled reply.
Gulliand stared at the ceiling, his brain trying and failing to make sense of what had just happened. He looked to Cinnamon Roll and Applespike but they were calmly sipping their iced coffee like it was all perfectly normal. Even the Cakes, whose diner had been blasted by a party cannon, seemed to take it in stride. Mr. Cake went back into the kitchen to check on some buns while Mrs. Cake brushed the confetti off the table, mumbling something about getting a new lock on the roof hatch.
Eventually, the griffon returned to the lemon cupcake in his claw. Sighing, he brought it to his beak and slowly ate it. It was very good.
“Man, I need to hang out with ya’ll more often,” said Applespike cheerfully as Cinnamon Roll and Gulliand finally stumbled out of the bakery behind him. “I ain’t had that many sweets since the last Apple family reunion!”
“Glad you enjoyed it,” groaned Cinnamon. The mare winced and put a hoof to her slightly distended belly. “Ugh! How are you holdin’ up, Gulliand?”
“I-I am all right…I think,” the griffon gasped beside her. He breathed deeply and let it out slowly. “Ooof! When Madam Cake asked us to sample a few items, I didn’t think she meant the whole menu!”
Cinnamon nodded. It was one of the hazards of being a student at one of the best cooking schools in Equestria. Everybody wanted you to sample their food. Usually, it would start with a fellow cook requesting her opinion on a new recipe and end with her sampling everything in the kitchen but the dish water! Mrs. Cake had not been quite that eager, but the desserts she had fed them were rich and very filling.
Only Applespike seemed unaffected. He trotted a little way ahead, humming a happy tune and wagging his dragon tail. After a moment, the two reluctantly followed.
“Is this the way to your home?” asked Gulliand as they slowly left the town behind.
Cinnamon Roll nodded. “Yep. Sweet Apple Acres. Just a few miles down the--BRRRRAAK!”
Applespike whirled around and stared at his sister in wide-eyed surprise. “Well, excuse you!”
Cinnamon blushed. If she and her brother had been alone, she would have laughed it off. Now, she glanced at Gulliand and cringed in embarrassment. “Sorry,” she whispered.
The griffon softly nudged her. “It is all right, Cherie. It is nothing to be ashamed of. You should hear my sisters after Hearth’s Warming feast!” he chuckled.
Cinnamon grinned. “Well, at least I feel better. My stomach’s still tight as a drum, though.”
Applespike looked at his sister strangely. “What’s wrong with you? You used to be able to put away a lot more than that AND still be able to buck half the orchard.”
“I know.” The little brown filly looked down at her body. She noticed the slight softening of the muscles in her legs and lowered her head in shame. “I ain’t workin’ like I used to…and it shows,” she muttered.
Gulliand leaned down to softly nuzzle her cheek. “You are still a hard worker, Cherie,” he murmured in her ear. His claw gently cupped her chin, raising her head to look at him. “It is just different work.”
Cinnamon smiled, her eyes becoming heavily lidded as she gazed up at him. Applespike quickly turned away as his sister kissed Gulliand full on his beak. It was not the first time he had seen them kiss. The year before, while he and Zany were helping Jewel escape to Canterlot, he had come across the two making out in the Culinary College gardens. He still wondered how in the Wide World of Equestria she managed to kiss a creature with no lips.
“We need to get goin’,” he said after a while. “It’s almost eleven o’clock and I promised Uncle Big Mac I’d cover his chores while he sets up the gazebo.”
Sighing, the two reluctantly broke the kiss and resumed their walk to the farm. The dragon-pony trotted in front of them while they followed at a more sedate pace. Before long, the trio found themselves walking among the apple trees that marked the border of Sweet Apple Acres. Gulliand had always been impressed with the way ponies grew their food. Griffons either had small gardens or foraged from the trees that grew at the bottom of the mountain. He had seen the vast vineyards of Prance, a whole valley full of sweet grapes, and the sight had filled him with wonder. He felt that wonder again as he gazed at the groves of carefully tended apple trees.
“Why did you sigh?” asked Cinnamon Roll.
“Just wishing Griffonstone had farms like this,” he said sadly. “Then we wouldn’t need to import so much food from Equestria.”
“That would be nice,” Cinnamon conceded. “Maybe we can ask Ma and Uncle Big Mac about it. If anyone knows how to get a farm going, it’s them.”
Gulliand shook his head, chuckling at her enthusiasm. “One thing at a time, Cherie. Let us concentrate on our restaurant first. That is the most important thing right now.”
Before long they topped a rise, giving them a view of the shallow valley below. The trees here were bigger and older, well pruned and tended. The brown dirt road they were on meandered between the trees before ending at a pretty, rose-covered lattice work arch. Beyond that, they could see Sweet Apple Acres signature big red barn and the rustic farm house beside it. Off to the side was a vegetable patch being tended by a large red stallion with a dirty blonde mane and tail. Applespike let out a whoop and took off at a gallop down the hill.
“Uncle Big Mac! Uncle Big Mac! I’m baaaaaaack! And lookit who I brung!”
The big stallion stopped what he was doing to look up at them. A second later, Applejack appeared from behind the chicken coop carrying a basket of eggs on her back. The door to the farmhouse flew open and Spike stepped outside wearing a red apron with a green apple pocket followed closely by the frail form of Granny Smith. Lastly, a yellow mare with a bright red mane tied back in a big red bow stepped from the barn. Cinnamon Roll let out a cry of joy and, forgetting everything, galloped down the hill almost as fast as Applespike.
“Aunt Apple Bloom!” she squealed.
“Cinnamon Roll!” cried the yellow mare. The brown filly barreled into her aunt, hugging her with all her might.
“I can’t believe you’re here! Ma wrote that you were comin’, but I just couldn’t believe it!”
“Well, believe it Sugar Cube,” said Apple Bloom, booping her nose. “You seriously think I’d miss celebrating my niece’s college graduation?”
Cinnamon Roll just shook her head and held her aunt even tighter. She had forgotten everything else until Apple Bloom pointedly cleared her throat.
“Ahem! Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
Cinnamon Roll turned and saw Gulliand standing at the rose-covered arch, giving her a reproachful look. Mortified, she ran back to her special somegriffon.
“Sorry about that,” she murmured as she escorted him across the yard. Everyone was gathered around Apple Bloom, looking at the griffon expectantly. Cinnamon stopped a little distance from the group. Smiling, she proudly laid a hoof on Gulliand’s side.
“Everyone, this is Gulliand."
"Hello. Howdy. Pleased to see you again." they replied.
"Gulliand," said Cinnamon, extending a hoof. "This is my family!"