“…”
“Cotton? Helloooo? Equus to Cotton.”
Bastion waved a hoof up and down in front of Cotton’s face as she stared into the shop from just inside the front entrance. She blinked before she glanced over at the guard. “Huh?”
“I said, we’re done. The last batch of your ingredients is up on the shelves in the kitchen, just like you labeled them.” He chuckled. “You’re organized down to the last letter.”
Ravelin came up to her other side and put a hoof on her shoulder. “So? Whatcha think? Did we get all the finishing touches right? Everypony else seemed to have taken care of all the bigger stuff.”
Looking around the room, Cotton took in the sight before her. The refrigerated case stood next to the register in the main section of the room, a line of several shelves holding packing boxes behind it, along with her pricing board. A royal purple swinging door with a golden-plated bottom and a small, round window led back into the kitchen. Corner shelves sat next to it for display. The window beside it, framed with purple drapes to match the kitchen door, had a deeper shelf beneath to hold a layered tray display as well. Behind her, a clock sat above the entrance with a bell hanging just inside the doorframe. The alternating colored tiles and glass tables sat as the inner room’s final touch, but what finally made Cotton grin was when she backed up through the exit and into the street to look at the sign above the front door, designed by her father and aunt as a finishing gift. Upon a cream-colored backing, in a fine octavia script, read her final decision:
Cotton Candy’s Confections
Bastion and Ravelin both followed her outside and stopped on the sidewalk. “Come on, Cotton, don’t leave us hangin’,” Bastion said with a smirk. A few passing ponies glanced in their direction and smiled before continuing on their way. “And you shouldn’t just stop in the middle of the street.”
Looking back at the two of them, a tear in her eye, Cotton replied, “It’s… It’s perfect.” She lunged at both of them and gave them a hug. “Thank you. All of you. I never thought this could be ready so quickly. I thought it’d take at least a month or more.”
“Well, it helps when you have the entire Royal Guard at your beck and call,” Ravelin chuckled, his hoof around her neck.
Cotton sniffled, nodding as she let them go. “Seriously. I can’t believe Dad actually gave all of you the O.K. to do this for me. I totally would’ve hired some regular professionals, but… you guys are like, so much better.”
“And you know that everypony that didn’t get asked to help is extremely jealous of the ones that did, right?” Bastion asked her with another smirk. “The stallions that were hoof-picked to build your shelves were beside themselves.”
“Really?”
Bastion nodded. “Oh yeah. They actually held a competition to see who would be best for the job. The four stallions that put them together won the contest out of twenty or so entrants. There are a bunch of new side tables from the rest of them in the barracks now.”
Cotton’s mouth fell open. “What?”
Ravelin chuckled. “No, he’s just playing around. And we know we’re better than professional moving ponies, ‘cause we’re free labor!”
Bastion asked, “So? When do you think you’re going to have your grand opening?”
With a shrug, Cotton replied, “Since everything is almost ready, I’m thinking this weekend. Tons of families are in the park on Saturdays, so if anyone comes out of that exit they’ll see me, just like my friend Flarechaser said.” She picked up her saddlebag, then walked up to the door and locked it before stashing the key in her mane. “I’ll probably do a test run tomorrow to make sure I can get here in time to cook and have everything ready for when I open. I’m still not sure if I should try seven or eight o’clock, but I’m gonna aim for seven. I have a feeling there are some ponies that have an early morning sweet tooth.”
Bastion cocked a brow again, then responded, “That’s a good idea. But for now…” He turned and faced the path that would lead them back to the castle. “…we should get you back home. It’s almost lunchtime, and I don’t think Princess Celestia will be happy if you’re late to court. You know she’s already upset you won’t be cooking breakfast anymore.”
Cotton giggled again. “Hey, she had the past two weeks to get her final requests in. And she knew today would come eventually.”
“Yes, but she doesn’t have to like it,” Ravelin said.
“True. Alright, c’mon, let’s go.”
As Cotton unfurled her wings and lifted off, Bastion called, “Cotton!”
“What?”
Ravelin pointed at his horn. “Uh, we can’t go that way.”
Putting a hoof to her face, Cotton responded, “Right. Duh. Sorry.”
“And we can’t really go back the same way we got here,” Bastion added with a slight frown.
Cotton smiled as she dropped back to the ground. “Actually…” She reached into her saddlebag and withdrew a piece of parchment and a quill. “Hold on a sec.” After writing a few lines, she rolled up the parchment, then put the quill back and took out what appeared to be a clear-glass sphere with a green flame inside.
“What is that?” Bastion asked.
“Hearth’s Warming present from my dad,” Cotton answered. “So I can contact him if I ever need him. From anywhere.” After tapping the top three times, the upper half of the sphere rippled away as if she’d dipped her hoof in a pond, and Cotton hovered the parchment over the fire. After the flame rushed to the top of the parchment and flew away in green wisps, the sphere rippled closed again, and Cotton put it back in her bag. “He should get a carriage sent out for you in a bit. But you’re right, I have to get back home.” She hugged them both, then said, “Thanks again, colts. Sorry for the quick exit, but I’ll see ya later!”
After Cotton lifted off, the two guards looked at each other.
“She gets the coolest gifts.”
“Seriously.”
“But hey, we’re getting another free ride.”
“True.”
Ж
Celestia sighed at the stallion before them. “I apologize, Mister Thorn, but the court cannot grant your request.” She turned to Cotton. “Cotton, is there anything I am unaware of? Do you have anything to add or contest?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “I am not fully versed in Canterlot’s zoning codes, so I must refrain from giving an opinion on this matter. I apologize, Mister Thorn.”
“I understand. Thank you, Your Highness. Miss Cotton.” The stallion then turned to Cotton with a small smile. “Despite the matter here, I wish you good luck, Miss Cotton.”
Lightly furrowing her brows as she tilted her head, Cotton responded, “Uh, thank you, Mr. Thorn, but with what?”
“I was walking down Oak Street the other day. It looks marvelous from what I could see. Again, I wish you the best of luck.”
Cotton smiled as she lifted a hoof to her muzzle. “Thank you very much, sir. I intend to open on Saturday, if you wish to stop by.”
“I certainly will try.” With that, he gave a small bow, then turned and walked for the throne room’s exit.
Celestia cocked a brow and sent Cotton a side-eye. You’ve already got the citizens rubbing it in my face, don’t you?
You knew I’d be opening eventually! You’ve had the past two weeks to ask for special requests!
Celestia discreetly tickled her in the ribs. I know, I know, I’m only playing.
In court? Cotton responded, lightly pushing her hoof away.
Okay, true, maybe that isn’t the best idea. Celestia turned back to a mare in front of them. “Good afternoon, ma’am. How may the court help you today?”
Ж
“You do realize how lucky you are, right?” Spike chuckled. “I told Cotton to only use that sphere in case of emergencies.”
“Well, we do now,” Ravelin responded. “We just thought it was a way for her to get in touch with you for… well, anything. We didn’t even know about it until she showed it to us.”
Shaking his head, Spike replied, “You wouldn’t have. I told her not to go flashing it around. Anyway…” He waved a claw towards his doors. “…you two head back to your posts. I need to get back to work.”
Bastion nodded. “Yes, Spike. Cotton isn’t in trouble, is she?”
“No, she isn’t. Not for helping you two. You did help her quite a bit today, so I think it’s only appropriate that she’d give you a thank-you ride back.” Spike smiled at them. “I’d like to thank you as well, by the way. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my daughter so excited.”
As the two guards turned for the exit, Ravelin said, “You’re very welcome, Spike. It was a pleasure.”
“It doesn’t hurt that she said she’d make us cookies, either,” Bastion added with a smirk.
Ravelin whacked him with the flat side of his spear. “You seriously need to learn when to shut up.”
Spike snickered. “I’ll tell Cotton to give you one of Bastion’s, Ravelin.”
Bastion scowled at his partner when he pumped a hoof as they walked out.
Ж
“So, how was court?” Twilight asked Cotton at the dining room table.
“Good! A few of the petitioners have been seeing the shop go up, so they all wished me good luck and said they’d try to come by. Looks like I’ve got customers before I even open.”
Luna frowned. “We wouldst not lift thy hopes, Cotton. ‘Tis possible they speak to access thy well-read tomes shouldst they return to court.”
Scowling at Luna, Twilight asked, “How many of those can you fit in one sentence?”
“What wouldst thou say if We used a halved colon?”
Cotton snickered before she replied, “Well, they won’t exactly get in my good books if they don’t actually show up at the shop.”
“‘Tis fact,” Luna replied with a shrug.
“So you have two more days, Tia. Get in your requests now,” Spike said from his side of the table.
Cotton grimaced. “Actually, only one. I’m gonna do a test run tomorrow and see how early I can actually get there so I’ll know if I can open at seven or if I need to push it to eight. I wanna make sure I get enough sleep every night, so I need to know when I need to leave or can wake u—”
“Pancakes,” Celestia cut her off after swallowing a bite of salad. “No question.”
After a snort, Cotton laughed, “Tell me how you really feel.”
“Wonderful. We are—”
“On the same page,” Twilight said, interrupting Luna.
Luna cocked a brow. “‘Tis what We intended to say.”
“Surrrrre it was.” Then Twilight smiled. “And yes, it sounds like we are.”
After swallowing her last bite, Cotton said, “Sounds good. And I was gonna say, I also wanna let the couple above the shop know I’ll be opening Saturday so they have a heads-up.”
Nodding, Luna commented, “‘Tis wise. A little courtesy doth make a lengthy journey.”
Cotton giggled as Twilight let out a groan. “Alright, I’m gonna head up and make sure all my stuff is ready so I can wake up early tomorrow without an— oh…” She put a hoof to her muzzle as she let out a sigh.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Spike asked her.
“…I should ask Dawn if she’s willing to wake up that early. Guess I need to find her first.” With that, she walked out of the dining room and towards the stairs.
Celestia scrunched up her muzzle. “Oh no. She might need to wash herself in the morning. It’s the end of Equus. What are we going to do.”
“Oh, wouldst thou cease thy bitterness?” Luna grunted. “We are disappointed as well, but We didst know t’would end eventually.”
“Is that so hard?” Twilight mumbled under her breath.
“And stop being such a hypocrite,” Spike added. “I know you freak out when you need to wash yourself. I’ve literally heard you from across the castle. And I mean literally.”
Twilight nodded in approval.
Celestia let out a huff. “Except other ponies have been washing me for over a millennium. She’s had Dawn helping her for less than two years.”
“‘Tis still no excuse, Sister. Be grateful Tasty Twist is not in our presence to hear thine imprecations about breakfast.”
Crossing her forelegs, Celestia let out a sigh. “Oh, fine. You know, I did just realize— she won’t be in court with me anymore, either. The citizens might be upset as well.”
“Or,” Twilight started, “they’ll be happy to hear that she’s opening a business for herself and she’ll get plenty of customers. And you should tell everypony that comes in, too. Royal endorsement would be very helpful.”
“Well,” Spike cut in, “that may be so, but you know that Cotton wants to make a name for herself on her own. I wouldn’t make a concerted effort of telling ponies about it unless they specifically ask where she is. Unless everypony that’s come to court has entangled her in rumors, not everypony knows that Cotton’s been in court for the past six months.” Spike cleared his throat before he continued, “She’s in a great location; she honestly may not even need the endorsement. You don’t need to lie in court, Tia, but let’s let her do her own thing before we start actively telling ponies where to spend their bits.”
Luna nodded. “We agree, ‘tis likely Cotton wouldst prefer as much.”
With a shrug, Celestia responded, “I guess that’s true. The citizens have appreciated her being in court with me, though. As have I. Repeat petitioners will likely be her first customers.”
“You won’t need to worry about it until next week, anyway,” Twilight said. “Cotton just wanted to do a morning test run tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll be back in time for lunch. And she didn’t say anything about not being here on Friday either, so the next two days should go normally, court-wise.”
“Also true,” Celestia replied with a nod. Then she sighed. “Well, hopefully her grand opening goes smoothly on Saturday.”
Luna nudged Celestia’s shoulder. “‘Tis better, Tia. Thou shouldst be elated for Cotton, not—as they say—lost within the trash.”
“I know, I know,” Celestia grumbled. “…But I’m still going to miss the pancakes.”
Spike mouthed Luna’s broken idiom before Twilight responded, “Down in the dumps. Just eat your pancakes and be happy.”
Ж
“So… you’re really okay getting up this early to help me, Dawn?”
The mare giggled as she scrubbed underneath Cotton’s wing. “I already told you, Cotton, I’m up early anyway. That’s why I go to bed so early. It’s actually better for me this way; the shower will already be soapy, and I can just scrub it down with an extra layer once.”
“Well… if you’re sure.” Cotton smiled. “Thanks a lot.”
“You’re very welcome, hon,” Dawn replied. “Now, let’s not chit chat too much if you want to be out of here sooner rather than later. We still want you fully scrubbed, after all. Nothing between the feathers or the frogs.”
Cotton chuckled. “Thanks. You’ve got this down to a science, huh?”
“Well, I’ve washed foals, I’ve washed teens, and I’ve washed princesses, so I would hope I’d have some experience by now.”
Letting out a happy sigh as the mare scrubbed the spot between her wings, Cotton responded, “Ahhh, I’ll say…”
Ж
The bell jingled, the door gently shut, then Cotton muffled the bell with a wing. She locked the door behind her, put her key in her mane, and looked at the clock above the door.
“Four o’clock. Okay. Let’s do this.”
She ran into the kitchen and put down her saddlebag, then turned to look at her labeled shelves. She opened the refrigerator and found all the chilled ingredients she needed. She opened the oven doors to double-check their cleanliness, then closed them again and set the thermometers. She filled the molds. She cut the fruits. She covered the trays. She emptied the ovens. She topped the crusts.
At ten minutes to seven, five pies lay in her case. Twelve muffins were on display in the window. Two platters of cookies sat on the counter.
Cotton stood behind the register, taking a deep breath as she looked around the room. Looking at the clock, a smile came upon her muzzle. “Seven o’clock it is.” She looked at the case, then back at the clock. “And look at that—I can make it back in time for breakfast.” With that, she picked up one of the to-go boxes behind her and slid both platters of cookies inside. “I can come back for the rest later. I bet the kitchen crew’ll love ‘em.”
After thoroughly wiping down every surface in the kitchen and double-checking that the ovens were off, Cotton shoved the box into her saddlebag sideways—the only way she could—and then strapped it on. She turned off all the lights, then walked out the door, but stopped before she locked it. “Oh, right. Wait… they may not be awake yet.” After backing up and looking at the window into the residence above, she smiled when she saw a moving shadow. “Good, they are up.” She was about to lock the door when a thought came to her.
Heading back inside and to her case, she took a quick look through, then took out a key lime pie and placed it in another packing box to take with her. She went back through the door and locked it behind her, then quietly hovered up to the window and took a quick peek. When she saw nobody, she rapped three times on the glass.
A few moments later, an elderly, gray-coated pegasus mare poked her head through an inside door, tilting her head at Cotton as she moved toward the window and opened it to the top. “Why, hello, Cotton. I thought I heard somepony downstairs.”
“Oh no, I didn’t wake you up, Missus Hop, did I?” Cotton asked, cringing.
“I don’t believe so. I didn’t hear anything until a few minutes ago,” the old mare answered. “If I may, what exactly are you doing outside our window? And at this time of the morning?” With a chuckle, she added, “I know we said we have no issue with you working early, but I think spying into our bedroom is pushing the line a little.”
Cotton’s eyes widened before she glanced down, frowning as her face flushed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“I’m only playing with you, dear,” the mare giggled. “Though I would appreciate knocking on the door instead of the window next time. Now, what are you doing here this morning? Are you opening today?”
After letting out a sigh of relief, Cotton shook her head and replied, “No, I was doing a test run to see if I could actually open at seven like I hoped. And I can. I also wanted to tell you that I’m planning to open on Saturday. Y’know, we’re right outside the park, so there’d probably be a lot of ponies coming around on the weekend.”
“That’s usually the case,” Mrs. Hop responded with a nod, “but I heard through one of my friends in the weather service that they’re planning rain on Saturday. Not the best idea, in my opinion, but I’m not on the team. If I may suggest, I would wait until Monday. Especially if you plan to stay closed on Sundays. Even without the rain, having a grand opening and then being closed the next day probably isn’t a good idea.”
Cotton’s eyes widened again slightly as she raised her brows. “Oh… I didn’t think of that. Thanks a lot for the tip. And thanks for letting me know about the rain.” She smiled, holding up the box as she continued, “I was gonna do this anyway, but here, as an apology for spying, if you’d like; it’s key lime, fresh out of the oven. Well, and chilled— you know how it works.”
The mare’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you remembered my favorite! You’re such a dear; how could I refuse?” Extending her wings, she carefully took the box and pulled it through the window to her hooves. “Thank you so much, Cotton. I’ll just have to make sure that Shuffle doesn’t try to sneak some for breakfast,” she chuckled.
“Well…” Cotton leaned forward and whispered, “I have a blueberry downstairs I could give you.”
Putting a hoof to her muzzle, the mare held in a snort. “You’re a very sweet, but terrible young lady. You know he needs to watch his weight.”
Giggling, Cotton replied, “Hey, it isn’t really fair if I only give one to you.”
“True, very true. But still. Everything in moderation.”
“Yep.” Turning her head, Cotton said, “I need to get back home. Gonna cook breakfast for my aunts and my dad. I won’t be able to anymore starting next week.”
With a smile, the mare responded, “You really are a sweet girl. Give your father and the Princesses our best regards, and have a wonderful day. We’ll see you on Monday, if not sooner.”
Cotton looked back at her briefly and waved before she replied, “Thanks, you too. Say hi to Mister Step for me.” Then she flew off.
Mrs. Hop chuckled as she went back through the door, then into her kitchen. “I’m one to talk. At this rate, I’m going to need to change my name from ‘Hover’ to ‘Haul.’”
Ж
Cotton looked up with a smile. A fabric ‘GRAND OPENING’ banner below the store’s sign flapped ever so lightly in the Monday morning breeze.
“That’s it. Everything’s ready.”
“I still think you should have slept a little more, Cotton,” Twilight said from beside her. “You want to be at full energy on your first day.”
Shaking her head, Cotton responded, “Nope. Ponies are up earlier during the week; I wanna make sure they see the banner if they pass by. Besides, I have to stay true to my… hours,” she finished with a yawn.
“See?” Twilight chuckled.
Cotton scrunched up her muzzle, then stuck her tongue out. “I’ll be fine. I scoped out the neighborhood the other day; there’s a little mom-and-pop coffee shop two blocks over that opens early, too. Maybe I’ll go get some coffee.”
“But you don’t drink coffee.”
“Maybe I’ll start.” Cotton shrugged. “Strike up a deal with them; a coffee for a cookie.”
Twilight giggled. “I would try the coffee first before you start thinking of ways to barter for it. You might not even like it.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll figure it out.”
“Did you have breakfast?”
Cotton rolled her eyes. “Yes, Aunt Twilight, I had one of the muffins I made.”
Cocking a brow, Twilight continued fussing, “Do you really think that’s a substantial enough breakfast? Compared to what you’ve been eating at ho—”
“Yes, Aunt Twilight, I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. Are you sure you don’t want us to send somepony to bring you lunch later? You’re going to have a long day.”
Shaking her head again, Cotton answered, “No way, I need today to feel like it will on any other day. I don’t want any trace of being a ‘Royal’ here. No food deliveries, no rides in my chariot, no guards keeping an eye on me— nothing. I need to do this on my own. I can fly here myself, there are a few places around that I can snag food from… Please, no special treatment, okay? You don’t need to come and check on me every day before I open. You should be sleeping, too.”
Twilight chuckled. “Alright, if you insist. I only came today to see if everything was going smoothly, and clearly it is. Do you think you’ll be home for dinner?”
“Mhm. Dad wants me to be home by sundown the first few weeks, so I’m gonna close at five for now. He made it a rule, actually. The one rule. It gives me time to bring any leftovers around to donate. There are a number of places around that could use them. The orphanage actually isn’t that far south from here.”
Smiling, Twilight responded, “That’s very generous of you. Rarity would be proud.”
“Yeah, Dad said that, too,” Cotton replied with a blush. She took a moment to look at her reflection in the window, tightening her ponytail and shifting her mane clips slightly to properly display her features. Then she turned to Twilight and asked, “So, how do I look?”
Twilight brushed one more stray lock of Cotton’s mane away from her face with a wing, then traced it down her cheek to her chin with a smile. “You look incredible.” With a soft nuzzle, she added, “Good luck today.”
Cotton smiled in return. "Thanks, Aunt Twilight."
“You’re welcome. We’ll see you tonight." With that, she beat her wings and lifted off, waving as she left.
"See you tonight!" Cotton called, waving back.
The bell above the door jingled as she walked back into the shop and took her place by the register. Then she stared up at the clock; when it struck seven ten minutes later, she walked back to the door and propped it open with a doorstop she had left beside it. Then she walked back behind the counter and firmly placed her forehooves on top.
“Okay. Cotton Candy’s Confections is officially… open.”