//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixty - Noble Opposition (Part Two) // Story: A Daughter and her Dragon // by Level Dasher //------------------------------// “Gah!” Blueblood cried as the pie splattered all over his face and mane. “How dare you!” He took a hoof and swiped it down his muzzle, letting the tin clatter to the floor. “See if I ever step hoof in here again!” He turned and made for the exit, squinting through the cream still covering his face as he ran out, galloping down the street. Daisy stood up and followed him. “Yeah? She doesn’t want you back! In fact, stay off this whole block!” She stood in the door frame as she shook a hoof and shouted, “And you have no taste! Or tact!” She turned and walked back inside, where she found Cotton already wiping up the mess from the floor and a nearby table with a towel, a frown still on her face. “Madre de Solis, what a jerk.” “Yeah, he’s always been like that. You don’t wanna know how many times he’s come to court looking for stupid stuff. That’s why him saying he doesn’t like anything doesn’t bother me.” Taking a breath, Daisy responded, “Maybe. But the jab at the orphanage was unnecessary.”  “Yeah, that sent me over the edge. Nobody takes a shot at my family like that.” “I don’t blame you.” Stepping around the mess, Daisy asked, “You want some help?” As her expression settled, Cotton shook her head. “Nah, don’t worry about it, I got it.” After a moment, she started giggling. “Y’know, I should charge him full price for that. He owes me twenty bits.”  “Twenty bits?” “Well, check the board.” She pointed at her pricing board behind the register. “It’s three bits for one slice, and I can make eight slices per pie. That would normally be twenty-four bits, so it’s a good deal.”  Daisy giggled along with her. “Yeah, it is. Too bad he used it as makeup instead.” Still wiping the floor, Cotton shook her head as she started laughing. “No, that was coconut. If anything he would’ve been taking makeup off.” “Ha! That’s true, I heard that once.” “Actually, that should do wonders for his mane, too,” Cotton added. “I heard that, too!” The two of them laughed as Cotton continued cleaning, tears leaking from their eyes. Daisy took a few deep breaths and wiped her eyes with a hoof. “Hey, are you sure you don’t want help? I could go get another towel if you have one.” “Nah, I’m sure. Thanks, though.” Shrugging, Daisy responded, “I mean, if you’re really sure, you mind if I go? I should get back to the shop.” “Oh yeah, go ahead. I don’t want you getting in trouble.” She tilted her head at the case. “You want a cookie? On the house.” “Really? You know I won’t say no to a Cotton Cookie.” Cotton chuckled and nodded. “I wanna keep cleaning this up; there’s tissue paper behind the case. Just make sure you use one of those.”  “Thanks!” “Sure thing.”  Daisy walked behind the counter, then took a sheet of tissue paper and grabbed a cookie from the platter inside the case. “But you know I’m not gonna not pay you,” she said, coming back around the counter after dropping two bits next to the register.  “Oh, come on. It was nice having your company, just lemme treat ya.” “Nope,” Daisy responded simply, before taking a huge bite. Rolling her eyes, Cotton said, “Fine.” Then she smiled. “Thanks.”  Nodding with a smile of her own, Daisy stopped as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. After shaking herself out of her stupor a minute later, she finished her cookie, then turned and waved as she walked out the door, still wearing the same smile. “See ya!” “See ya!” After she finished cleaning, Cotton went through the kitchen door and tossed the towel into the sink, then washed her hooves. She walked back into the room just as a brown unicorn stallion with a camera around his neck walked through the door.  Woah, good timing. “Good afternoon, sir,” she began, a smile coming to her face. “Welcome to Cotton Candy’s Confections, where all the sweets are served with a smile. How can I help you?” After the tiniest of flinches, the stallion smiled in return. “Good afternoon, young lady. Miss Candy, I presume?” “That’s me. But you can just call me ‘Cotton.’” He glanced around the room before looking back at her. “Is this a new establishment? I’ll admit, it’s been a while since I’ve been on this block, but last I saw, the space was empty.”  “Yes, sir. Just opened a week ago. The business is… new.” The stallion looked around the empty shop. “I’m sure business will pick up. Don’t be discouraged. Now, if I may…” He walked up to the case and looked at the spread. Cotton waved her hoof over the case. “Of course! I’ve got cookies, donuts, muffins, pies… there’s key lime, apple, chocolate, coconut crè— oh, no, I’m uh—” “Did you say coconut crème?” the stallion asked, his eyes lighting up. With a wince, Cotton replied, “I actually, uh, just ran out of coconut crème.” She looked around the register at the cutting block, where the partial slice of pie still sat. “Well, actually… I do have, like, part of some coconut crème, but it’s a slice someone started and didn’t finish. I was going to throw it—” “Oh, no, please,” the stallion stopped her, leaning on the case. “I love coconut crème. I’d gladly try a partial slice.” He looked at the price board before he continued, “Three bits, I see.” Cotton shook her head. “Oh, no, free of charge. Someone else already started it, I couldn’t possibly charge you for it.” The stallion’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?” After slicing off the edge of the pie's started side and grabbing a new fork first, Cotton placed the plate on the counter and nodded. “Absolutely.” “Well, far be it from me to decline free pie. Thank you very much, Miss Ca— uh, Cotton.” Cotton giggled. “You’re welcome. And thank you.” Nodding as he picked up the plate and fork in his aura, he sat down at a table, then cut a piece of the pie from the other end and took a bite. His eyes gradually widened as he slowly chewed. He softly put the fork down on the table, then turned and looked at Cotton as he swallowed. “This… this is fantastic. I’ve never tasted anything like it in my life.” A blush crossing her face, Cotton responded, “Thank you, sir. I’m glad you think so. I take advanced orders; if you like, I can make a fresh pie for you to pick up another time. Actually, if you want to come back later, I could make one today since business is slow.” Half of the rest of the slice now gone, the stallion responded, “Certainly another day, Cotton, but not today. I… need to get back to work.” He looked back at the case before he added, “I would gladly purchase some of those chocolate-chip cookies, though.” Then he continued eating. Cotton giggled as she responded, “Of course. They’re two bits apiece, three for five.” After his final swallow, he said, “Three, please.” “Okay.” She took a piece of tissue paper and put the three cookies in a bag, then set the bag on the counter. Having finished the pie, the stallion brought the plate and fork back to her, then reached into his saddlebag. Cotton reached for the plate. “Oh, thank you, sir. I would’ve come to the table to get that.” “I try to make things easier when I can.” He pulled out five bits and set them on the counter. “Here you are, Miss.” Cotton smiled and held the bag out to him. “Thank you, sir. Enjoy.” “Oh, I’m certain I will.” He took the bag and placed it in his saddlebag. “If you don’t mind, may I…” He held up his camera, then tilted his head at the case. “…get a shot of one of those? I’d love to show other ponies what you have to offer.” With a confused furrow of her brows, Cotton shrugged her shoulders. “Uh, okay. If you want. Thank you.” “This one over here with the whipped cream on top— this is apple, I assume?” “Yes it is.” Nodding, the stallion leaned down and centered his camera, then took a shot. “That should be perfect. Thank you very much, Cotton. I wish you the best of luck in business.” “You’re welcome. And thank you. Please do spread the word, I’d appreciate it.” The stallion went to the door, then before he walked out and turned the corner, he smiled and responded, “Oh, believe me, Cotton— I will.”