//------------------------------// // Chapter 130 - Chit Chat // Story: Dadonequus Discord (Book 2) // by CrazedLaughter //------------------------------// The argument between you and Grubber had nearly turned into a fight. With the both of you insulting each other more and more until Scootaloo got in between the both of you, trying to sound like an actual captain as she tells the both of you how childish you were both being. Grubber’s argument was defending Tempest, yours was just the fact you didn’t like him insulting you, but Scootaloo would have none of it. This was further backed by everyone else, especially Tempest, who felt Grubber was being too uptight about the whole situation in general while she felt you were just being sensitive. She then took Grubber aside, saying something to him that surprised him for a moment. He then sighed, shook his hands, and walked back to the group with a sigh. “Alright, alright, sorry for upsetting everyone… I guess. Anyway, Tempest thinks we should get the ball rolling with some lunch. Now, since this is me, this ain’t gonna be some regular boring lunch. See, I’m the head chef around here. Well, the only chef, but let me tell you all that I got a real knack for it. Trust me, it all started with just learning how to bake cupcakes and BAM!” Grubber smashes his hands together. “Wanted to taste everything that was good in this world. Of course, to do that, I had to learn to cook it all first.” He said with a small cackle as he rubbed his belly. “And while I haven’t learned everything yet, I am on the way to getting there. Anyway, today’s lunch is something called ‘pizza’. Haven’t made one of those yet, but trust me, I rarely miss my mark, as in, Tempest eats my stuff too, so I can’t screw it up, even for my first try.” Grubber then pulls out a small notepad and a pen. “Anway, taking orders for side stuff. It can be anything, and I do mean anything. This ship was meant for like, a crew of seventy, and we only got three normally. Converted a lot of the empty rooms for more cargo storage. And that means I made room for all sorts of delicious ingredients to use. So, I already know what Tempest likes, Capper too I guess. Soooooo, you first.” He said as he points to Sweetie Belle. “Oh? Anything? Can I get cinnamon rolls? I know they don’t really go with pizza, but I can’t miss the chance to get some without Rarity complaining that I’d get fat or something.” Sweetie said. And this followed suit for the rest. Applebloom wanted apple fritters, something Scootaloo seconded.  Grubber then looked to you, and just stared at you silently for a moment before finally saying. “Look, I’m sorry. I just, you know how it is…” Suddenly, Grubber began to soften up as he took a quick look towards Tempest. “She’s my best friend. I’ve known her for a long time. Way back when we both met up during our bad times with the Storm King. So look, let’s forget about what happened before, and be friends and stuff. So, er, sorry...and, yeah, sorry.” Grubber said as he extended his hand towards you. You didn’t need to think about this, you knew you screwed up by losing your cool. Besides, everyone was watching, so denying him now would be social suicide. He seemed sorry enough, and well, you were sorry too, you were probably being a bit of an ass. You reach your hoof over and shake his hand. “No sweat, I’m sorry too. I’ll take some garlic bread, by the way. Goes good with pizza and, er, what toppings are going on it anyway?” “If it was up to me, it’d be things you ponies wouldn’t even want to know. But since this is my first time and I gotta serve everyone, I’ll keep it simple and just use a bunch of cheeses.” Grubber said  That didn’t sound too bad. “Sounds good. Alright, been awhile since I had pizza.” “Tch, then you better be really hungry for it, because it’s gonna be big! All the cheese practically melting right off, the crust baked to perfection. If it doesn’t knock all your coats off, then the pizza is free! Er, I mean, it’s already free. Y-you know what I mean. Anyway, just prepare yourselves, because it’s gonna be great!” Grubber said, his words actually catching not only your ears, but the other crusaders as well. The way he made it sound, it didn’t sound like fucking Dominos or Pizza Hut. This sounded like the real deal, like, the pizza you only see in dedicated restaurants. Why hadn’t you ever used your powers to conjure a fucking pizza? You’d have to remember to do that next time you wanted to be a slob. Grubber then hurried off, leaving you and the group with Capper and Tempest. Tempest didn’t seem to be anxious or nervous, she looked calm and serene. She looked over to you, and began to speak. “So… Now that that’s over, I can finally say hello. How are you, Anon?” “Huh? Oh, er, I’m good. Sorry about that, really, I don’t know what came over me.” You said apologetically. “It’s fine, Grubber did get in your face the moment he saw you, so that kind of reaction is, while a little over the top, is expected. I’ve met your friends, their nice. And…” Tempest stopped when she realized she didn’t have too much to say. She just stared for a moment before looking down and grumbling to herself. “What’s wrong, Tempest?” Sweetie Belle asked, noticing she was getting nervous. “Hm? Oh, I just. It’s just… It’s only been me, Grubber, and Capper this entire trip, so I guess I’m not really used to talking to others yet. To tell you the truth, I am Anon’s friend, but I only knew him for as long as our adventure went. And then there’s you three, you’re a lot different than what I’m used to.  I, erm, don’t even know where to begin with this. The conversation, I mean.” Indeed, Tempest was growing nervous. Conversing with Grubber was easy for her since she knew him for so long. And while she doesn’t talk to Capper all too much, his chill and cool aura does make him easily approachable. But for some reason, the presence of the crusaders, and the fact she only knew so much about you, was making her feel uneasy. “Not a problem. As current captain, I say we talk about what life is like on this ship. Y’know, is it an adventure? Have you managed to beat bad guys super easy like Capper said? I really wanna know, and don’t skip the details!” Scootaloo said, wanting to hear details of the sky faring nature. “Yeah, ah don’t really know what it’s like livin’ on a ship, and this one looks really nice. Is it fun? Is it hard work? How do y'all manage without a crew?” Applebloom added, she too interested to hear the stories of the crew of the Redemption Ark. “You really want to hear about that? It’s not very exciting.” Tempest said. Confused that they’d ask about things like that. Yet, feeling more and more relaxed that they seemed so happily interested in her current life. Even if there are parts to said life that are less than cheery. “I mean, I’m down to hear it if you want to tell it. I have a few stories myself about my time in Equestria. But er, I’d rather keep some of them to myself. At least for now .” You say. Interested in her stories, while preemptively letting her know that you weren’t willing to tell some of your own publicly. Namely, things like botching up the ‘Pony of Shadows’ or the Storm Ravager. Actually, you should never mention that last one. “Really? What about the story on your shackles? It doesn’t look like you recently escaped any dungeons, and something about them look off. You didn’t get yourself into some kind of trouble, did you?” Tempest asked as her focus shifted to your shackles. It seemed her eyes were still sharp as ever, as she was able to tell they weren’t as natural as they appear. Normally, you’d be frustrated or nervous about being called out in such a way. But she already knew about Chrysalis, as did Capper. So basically, there was nothing to lose just by talking about it. “Oh, yeah, you’d be right about that, about them looking off I mean. You remember how I said I was friends with Queen Chrysalis?” “Oh yeah, I remember that one.” Capper interjected before putting his hand to his face, shaking his head. “You better not be telling us you both got locked up for something you shouldn’t have been doing. I gotta say, Anon. I know the tales, and I just ain’t seeing how you can be friends with someone like that.” “E-er, it's nothing like that. Erm, you see…” And so you go on to explain the current situation with Twilight and Chrysalis. And while Capper looked surprised with every other sentence, even stopping you to get a further explanation, Tempest merely nodded her head, already understanding the gravity of the situation Chrysalis had fooled both you and Twilight into. “And that’s what’s going on. It’s mostly in our favor, so there’s nothing to worry about. I got all my bases covered.” “Specific enough that she can’t even have someone else do it unless they only destroy Twilight as well, interesting.” Tempest said as she suddenly became deeply interested in the subject, entering deep thought as she put her more militaristic mind to work. “And is Twilight still out and about, despite the danger? You mentioned she’d have a changeling with her to alert her if Chrysalis got close. And yet, I have to ask, how loyal is he to you all.” “Oh, Scrappy is super loyal! He’s one of our best friends! And he’s part of my family! And no matter what, Apples never turn on each other, not ever.” Applebloom said with a nod, a sure nod, with no doubt in her mind. Capper just crosses his arms and nods, smiling to himself. “Sounds like there’s no way she can get close to Twilight.  You ponies think of everything, huh?” “For me, I’d like to think so. Because the last thing I can think of is her just going insane and rushing Twilight out in the open, as fast as she can, without care for her own well being. I doubt that is something she’ll do, but it’s something to consider. You did consider that, right Anon?” Tempest said as she looked to you, awaiting your answer. “Er, well, I highly doubt she’d even try that, not her style. Even if that was something she’d try, Twilight at this point is vastly more powerful than she is and is quick to notice details. Chrysalis won’t get close. Trust me, it’s all covered.” God, you really hope she doesn’t try that. She’s not insane enough to just bullrush Twilight, is she? “You don’t sound too sure, but I’ll take your word for it. I’m sure Twilight is in good hooves with you, her friends, and her allies. Oh, I know this is a little off topic, but the Storm King, Capper tells me you just hung his head on your wall as a trophy.” Tempest said, as she began to oddly observe you for some reason. “Oh, yeah, yeah. I mean, I had to do something with it, right?” Ogh, you were really REALLY getting tired of all this Storm King business. The guy was dead, for sure, you just wanted to move on from even a mention of him. But something was off. Tempest just stared at you, silently, creepily, for all but a half moment. She then nodded and laughed towards everyone. “Well, it looks like he wasn’t a HEAD of the game after all. Ah haha! Ha… hmm… erm.” And then Tempest just stopped her awkward laughter when she noticed no one was laughing with her.  Hell, the CMC were looking at her with slightly creeped out expressions. They obviously felt the joke was morbid, even if they did hate the guy. Capper just leaned in and whispered. “Gotta chill with those kinds of jokes, Tempest. They are foals, after all. Gotta be a little lighter with these kinds of things.” “Right…” Tempest said as she whispered back. She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and looked towards Scootaloo. “Ahrm, ‘Captain’, I’ve heard you really enjoy commandeering this ship. Do you have an interest in airships?” “Oh, wait, you mean me?” Scootlaoo said in surprise as she pointed to herself. “Oh, well, I didn’t before. But being up so high, and being able to steer this entire ship is really really rad!” Scootaloo said as she turned and pointed towards the front of the ship. “You guys get to fly wherever, whenever, and however you want. It might not be like how a pegasus flies, but it’s still so awesome in its own way! Kinda makes me want to be a pirate! Arrrrr!” Scootaloo said as she put on her best impression of a pirate . Tempest smiled warmly towards her. She found it such an innocent and beautiful thought. It even lingered in her mind as she thought to her own childhood. In truth, Capper had given Tempest a quick rundown of the CMC as they previously made their way to the deck, so she knew Scootaloo couldn’t fly. Like her, Scootaloo was crippled in her own way. A pegasus who couldn’t fly was like a unicorn who couldn’t use proper magic. In her heart, she was glad to see Scootaloo had not followed a dark path like she had. “Well, a pirate isn’t a bad occupation if what you are doing is for the greater good. We actually know a group of pirates. Good ones, with hearts of gold.” “Really? Do they do swashbuckling and stuff?” Scootaloo said as she became more and more interested in the subject. “You can say that. While Capper, Grubber, and I have been travelling from place to place, letting everyone know the reign of the Storm King is through. Our pirate friends have been raiding and looting the Storm King’s old bases and holds to bring resources back to those who really need it. They do their fair share of fighting too, if that wasn’t obvious. Does that answer your question?” Tempest asked. “Yes! Wow! Now I really REALLY want an airship of my own. Girls, wouldn’t it be awesome if we became pirates? But like, good pirates?” Scootaloo said as she looked upon her friends. “That would be pretty cool. We’d be able to travel the world and see a lot of new and exciting places.” Sweetie Belle said as she nodded to the thought of it. Applebloom jumped up and started swinging her leg around as if she had a sword. “Yeah, and get into fights with all sorts of bad guys. But they ain’t beating us! The Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Tempest had a bit of a giggle at their reaction and then looked to you. “What about you, Anon? Does being a ‘good’ pirate sound like fun?” “I’m an embodiment of chaos. I think I’m good.” You reply, grinning with a self satisfied look. “Wow, Anon. What does that have to do with being a pirate? You can only use your horn twice a day, right? That doesn’t really make you en embodiment of chaos, I think. Meanwhile, as a pirate, you can do whatever, whenever you want! How could you not want to be a pirate when you get to soar through the skies at your own pace?” Scootaloo said, seeming rather insulted that you seemed dismissive of it all. Seemingly even ignoring the lesson of the day just to put down your opinion. “Geez, Scoots. I was just saying. Nothing wrong with being a pirate, I’d go for it just for the action and all. It’s just that my magic pretty much covers all the bases I need already. You alright?” Yeah, what the hell? Why is she as snappy as Sweetie Belle all of a sudden? “O-oh, er, I guess that’s true. Sorry, I just…” Scootaloo took off the captain’s hat and looked at it for a quick moment as her wings very slowly opened then closed. She really did seem sorry for the way she reacted, she just really loved the idea of going around on an airship and sharing the experience with her friends, her ‘crew’ essentially. But all of a sudden, as Scootaloo tried to think of some words, Capper spoke up to cool down the situation. “Aww, c’mon, Anon, Scootaloo, no need to get all sensitive over it. Heck, you just wanted to pal around with your own crew, isn’t that right, captain?” Capper said, putting on that charm towards Scootaloo.  “Yeah, that’s… Wait, how did you know I wanted that specifically?” Scootaloo said, confused. But even though it wasn’t obvious to you that time, it was obvious to Capper. “Well, you are the Cutie Mark Crusaders. To me, that means you’re all a crew, going through thick and thin together. C’mon, Anon, we already know you got all that power, but what does it all mean when you don’t get to have fun with your friends?” Capper asked you, in a really saturday morning sort of way. Ogh, is that what she really meant? Oof, how could you miss that one? Maybe it was just the fact that all four of you actually being pirates sounded like a disaster. “I uh, er, I didn’t even see it like that. I mean, in that case, sure. With all four of us, that pretty much makes us a full crew.” You lied. Scootaloo wasn’t even that bad, you knew that, you liked hanging out with her. It was just that all three of them together was too tiresome for you, not to mention all the trouble they find themselves in. It just isn’t worth it, especially if they somehow sunk the ship. Or rather, it fell from the sky. “That’s what I like to hear. See, Captain? All you really need is your own airship and you’re ready to go.” Capper said as he swung his arm to the side, sounding more enthused in hopes to lift Scootaloo’s spirits. “Yeah! Er, sorry about that, Anon. I guess maybe I should have mentioned what Capper meant.” Scootaloo said apologetically, which made you feel even more guilty. Christ, she didn’t need to apologize. Ugh, dammit, you need to cool your jets sometimes yourself. “Er, I probably should have realized what you meant, so I’m sorry too. I mean, I am a crusader, so er, y’know. Cutie Mark Crusader Pirates, yeeeeah!” You faked the enthusiasm the best you could, but you were sorry, you really were. “Cutie Mark Crusader, that actually sounds interesting in and of itself. What do you all do as crusaders?” Tempest asked, interested on what it meant, especially after taking notice that the three had very similar looking Cutie Marks. She already put two and two together and knew the marks had to do with whatever they do as a crusader, she just needed to know what that meant. “Oh, well, before, it meant us all findin’ our own cutie marks.” Applebloom started to explain. “But then we helped somepony find who they really were inside, and we all got cutie marks!” Sweetie Belle said with a cute excited hop. “Now we help other ponies find their cutie marks too. If anypony needs help finding their cutie mark, they come to us! With Sweetie Belle, Anon, Applebloom, and I, there is no problem we can’t solve!” Scootaloo said as she adjusted the captain’s hat to make herself seem more cool. “Wait. Anon? Er, I dunno, actually thinkin’ about it, has Anon ever actually helped us with that?” Applebloom said as she stopped to think about it. “Actually, no. He really hasn’t. He said he was going to help us with our camp, but he never showed up.” Sweetie Belle said as she too began to contemplate on the help you have put in on helping other foals. “H-hey! I was busy! I got a lot of things on my plate all the time!” And you just kind of REALLY didn’t want to do anything with that. That just sounded like a damn nightmare. Not to mention there’d be fillies there, probably gushing over you. If that happened and Diamond, at the time, found out, you’d be black and blue all over for weeks. “Besides, I pal around with you guys when you’re not doing that sort of thing. Because, er, well, look at my cutie mark! It’s chaos! Really don’t think that fits well with the harmony of finding special talents.” Sweetie Belle entered deep thought once again, tapping her hoof under her chin. “He’s kinda right, especially with how crazy things can get around him sometimes. We can’t even go bowling with him without a dragon showing up, so who knows what crazy disaster would have happened.” G-guh?! What?! You’re the disaster?! How are you the disaster!? It isn’t like you can control the events that happen around you! They just happen! Dammit Sweetie Belle, even when she didn’t mean to be antagonizing, she was antagonizing. “Hey, to be fair, that dragon attack wasn’t even my fault. He was after that gem made bowling ball, which wasn’t mine. Spike’s fault on that one.” “True… I guess. Although, maybe that’s just it. Maybe the reason you can’t really help us with getting others their cutie marks is because…” Sweetie hesitates as she puts a little more thought into it, then speaks “Is because the ponies you do help are only around you because of how chaotic your life is.” Wut? “Come again?” “Yeah, it makes sense. The changelings, Starlight, even your dad has become nicer. And then there is Chrysalis, somepony we’d never be able to help on our own. Everything between you and her is super chaotic, but you’re also so close in reforming her, right?” Sweetie asked as she looked to you. And… Holy hell, was she actually on to something? “Er, yeah, pretty much. I, uh, huh. And that’s actually not a bad theory at all either.” Some of it rested on the fact that you just didn’t want to deal with it, but upon further thought, that could also be true. There was no way you’d be able to deal with most of the foal’s issues or need to find their talent without losing patience. Was it patience? Or maybe it was interest? Or maybe it was because each pony’s talent was so wildly different that you felt for someone like you, you couldn’t keep up. Hm, with that thought, it seems you’d have to internally admit that the Crusaders could best you at something, and finding the special talent of others was it.  “Kind of makes sense to be honest.” “I can agree with that. From the moment I met you, I knew you were different from everyone else. As for all of you as Crusaders, I can tell you that what you’re doing is very important. I know there are many foals who could use friends like you, so knowing what it means to be a crusader makes me happy there is such good in the world, that foals who might otherwise have given up will have ponies like you to help them when they are at their lowest. That goes for you too, Anon, considering I’m pretty much part of that little reform list you got.” Tempest said, impressed. “Wow, thanks, Tempest!” Sweetie said “Yeah, that means a lot coming from you!” Scootaloo said, much to the confusion of Tempest. “I… What? I-it does?” Tempest asked, she didn’t know why it did.  “Yeah! You’re so wise! Yer like one of them sagely types, except you’re not old. Heck, both you and Capper seem to know what we’re thinkin' all the time. You both ain’t psychic, are ya?” Applebloom asked, genuinely wondering if either of them had such an ability. “I, er, I don’t think so. And I wouldn’t say I was wise either. I’ve just spent a lot of time training, a lot of time, even before I had joined the Storm King. I trained my mind as much as I trained my body. Although, if I really was wise, then I would have seen that the Storm King had lied about restoring my horn from the moment I met him. “ Tempest frowned, looking back down in shame over what she had done. “Pfft, don’t let that get you down, Tempest. The past is the past, and you had your reasons. I know you didn’t completely trust him anyway, you were just desperate. If I got outcasted just because of something out of my control, I’d distance myself from society too. But you know what? After, and even before you became good, you were always wise and smart in my book. I mean, you really kicked butt, you always had a battle plan, you always had everything together and even able to outsmart Capper here. I can see why Grubber cheers you on a lot, you got a lot of things going for yourself some other unicorns would kill for. I even think you’d make a great mom if you had the chance.” You say, in your best effort to lift her spirits. Though that last line seemed to be too much for her as you really caught her by surprise. “What?! A-a great mom?! I don’t even, I…” Capper had a bit of a laugh about it and nudged at her with his shoulder. “C’mon, he’s right. I can see it now, three or six little foals, lined up in a row and saluting to Momma Tempest.  They’d all turn in their homework, one by one, all perfect grades of course, before Momma Tempest gives em all that scary militaristic look, says nothing…” Then, all cool like, Capper looks to everyone, shifting his eyes, then brings his hands together and moves them away from each other horizontally. “And give em’ all a hug for being the best children she could have asked for.” Tempest began to blush hard, embarrassed, she had never, not once, seen herself as a capable mother. She finally loses her composure as she angrily barks at Capper. “Don’t say that! You’re making me sound as if I could actually manage that!” “But he’s right, Tempest. I think you’d make a great mom! You’re nice, cool, strong, and fun to be around! And, er…” Scootaloo looks to you with a sheepish smile as she says the next part. “I don’t mean to offend you, Anon. But if she can put you in your place, then that automatically makes her a good mom.” WUT?! “What is that supposed to mean?!” “She means that sometimes you’re just a little too hard headed, Anon, and wild to boot. If Tempest can wrangle you in, then kids should be no problem.” Capper said, once again knowing exactly what Scootaloo meant.  “I-if you’re talking about how I fought her. Well, I just… Ugh, ok fine, but it really was just one little foul up! Could have happened to anyone. Though, I admit, dodging all my lasers will never be not cool. So, if I had to add something to this, it’d be the knowledge that we all know her foals would be well protected. A prayer for anyone who messes with Tempest’s future kids, if you catch my drift.” Tempest as a mom. Anyone who hurts her foals would be fucking dead, that's for sure. “I said I don’t!... Guh!” Tempest just leaned forwards and brought a hoof to her face. “At least Grubber isn’t here to hear this right now. I could only imagine how he’d react.” She really found this very embarrassing. Again, not thinking so far ahead of her life, she found it embarrassing that she was getting such praise. Well, getting the kind of praise that just didn’t suit a girl like her. “How who would react?” Grubber asked as he began to roll a cart towards the group. Interesting, he was now dressed as a little waiter as he wheeled in trays of food and drinks.  Holy shit, the smell was already noticeable from the distance he was at and. What? Oh good lord, why did it smell so good? “Nothing! Er, Grubber, I-I see you’re already done with dinner. Erm, that was faster than I thought.” Tempest said. With her composure broken and feeling embarrassed from all the praise, she quickly tries to shift the conversation towards the incoming lunch. “Of course, it’s called top notch service. Anyway, lunch is served everyone. Oh, and trust me, it's going to knock your horseshoes off. Even you, Anon. There’s no way you’re gonna be able to resist this, your brain is too tiny to figure out all the intricacies of taste. Oh no, nope, no no nope. My cooking is just as good as Tempest’s fighting skills, there is no way to not worship my super radical skills.” Grubber said with prideful arrogance as he began to expertly separate everyone’s orders. Despite his small size, stubby arms, and pudge body, he did exhibit some remarkable skills as he tossed up the plates of food and drink like a juggling act and threw them in front of everyone like ninja stars. All of it landing without coming off the plate, or drinks being spilled, those drinks seemingly just being some sort of cola.  Well, seemed his apology didn’t last very long at all if he was calling you out like that. “Tiny brain, huh? What happened to being sorry?” “I am sorry, which is why your garlic bread isn’t poisoned or cooked wrong. Nope, I made it so good that despite it being so simple, your simpler brain won’t be able to handle the taste,” Grubber said, nodding to himself in self satisfaction. Tempest sighed. She wanted to interject before things got too heated, but even she was enamored by her usual order. Yes, despite her side order being the same every time, it always impressed her how good it came out. That order, of course, being a small ice cream cake with berry filling. It always reminded her of her better days of youth. So she just shook her head, looked to you, and smirked. “Anon, insults aside, he does have a point. If he hated you, then I can assure you that garlic bread wouldn’t smell as good as it does.” "Is this all really that good?" Sweetie Belle said as she had already began nibbling on her large cinnamon roll. The smell was already intoxicating, but when she took a bite, she fell on her back in a daze. “Sweetie Belle!” Both Applebloom and Scootaloo called out to her “Are you ok?” “G-girls, this cinnamon roll. This cinnamon roll, is, is… I want to marry it.” Sweetie said in a euphoric stupor of exquisite taste. “Marry it? Wha? Sweetie Belle, now you’re just talking nons-” But as Applebloom found Sweetie’s reaction over the top, Scootaloo had taken the time to bite into her apple fritter, interrupting Applebloom as Scootaloo suddenly gets a crazed look in her eye. She just stares at the apple fritter for a moment, and downs it in one bite, surprising Applebloom further. “Scootaloo?! You too?!” “Applebloom!” Scootaloo said as she looked to Applebloom with frantic eyes. “Don’t bite into your apple fritter! Don’t do it! I finally understand what it means to spoil your lunch or dinner! It’s too good! You won’t want anything else!” “Oh, trust me girlies, once I lift that top off that plate, you’ll want to fight over every slice of that pizza. Don't worry though, there's enough for everyone” Grubber then looked to you with a confident smirk. “C’mon, Anon, give your garlic bread a taste. Taste it and worship the cooking skills that is me, Grubber!” Was this guy serious? Was he fucking serious? Maybe apple fritters and cinnamon rolls can taste that good, but garlic bread was garlic bread, there’s no way it can be that mind blowing. You just eye Grubber as you take a small stick of garlic breeqFDSAFDFSDAFSDGDS. You begin to drool and nearly fall over on your face. What in the fuck?! The softness of the bread, the freshness and strong taste of garlic, the hint of cheese, the warmth. What the fuck was the bread made of?! You couldn’t even form words, you couldn’t figure it out. And within another moment, you already went through your second stick of bread. Grubber just looks at his fingers of his right hand and fiddles with them as he chuckles. “Yeah, I got that from Capper too when I first made him some fish bits. Not exactly a dish you can make taste great, but boy do I nail it anyway. Only the great Tempest has managed to avoid the hypnotic trance of my cooking.” “He’s right, even he gets like that when he makes a cupcake for himself.” Tempest remarks with a chuckle. “H-hey! Don’t say that! That makes me sound uncool! I’m on a roll here, look how impressed they are.” Grubber said as he waves his arms towards you and the girls. “I can see that. Are you all alright?” Tempest asked, amused at the reactions of you, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle.  “Yeah, y'all are actin’ real funny all of a sudden. Was it really REALLY that good?” Applebloom asked, weirded out by the reactions of everyone else. “Y-yeah, I just… Ngh, I guess the cooking is really good. Just, ugh, really really good. Ok, Grubber, you got me. This is top quality stuff.” You had to compliment him. Christ, you were downed by fucking garlic bread. You could only imagine what the pizza was going to taste like. “It’s always top quality stuff. But hey, since you love it so much, I’ll lay off ya for awhile. Besides, we haven’t even got to the pizza yet.” Grubber said as he prepared to present his main dish. “I know I’m ready. If you don’t mind, I’m just gonna use my fish as a topping. Only thing better than pizza is fish pizza.” Capper said as he prepped himself for a meal. He already knew Grubber’s cooking was good, so he was just eager to eat. “Alright, alright, here we go!” And there it was. Grubber lifted the lid to reveal the sizzling deep crust cheese pizza under it. Oh god, the smell, the gigantic size, the cheese just looking and smelling delicious, looking so meltingly good, you could only imagine what the sauce tasted like. Hell, even the crust looked and smelled delectable. Yeah, whatever, fuck it, if that tasted as good as it looked, then you might as well acknowledge the guy as an actual cooking god.