//------------------------------// // Short 4 - Two Shades of Pinks // Story: Anon, The Not Gay Mare // by Gemsona //------------------------------// It was warm, maybe the weather team changed their minds at the last minute about today’s forecast. Not that Anon cared all that much. It was still cool enough not to bother her too much. Work ended early, not entirely sure why. All she could gather before the Boss Mare called the day off was some gray pegasus getting stuck head first in the mail chute and having the fire department come in to cut her out. The Emerald mare scanned the lively streets, middle of the day and there were plenty of ponies about. A few colts and fillies too. She even caught the eye of that little sister of AJ’s scurrying about. Wasn’t today supposed to be a school day…? She vanished around a corner before Anon could look for too long. Shrugging, it likely wasn’t her business. What was a few days playing hooky in the grand scheme of things? She recalled plenty of days ditching class… Ahh, memories and young mistakes. A simpler time… Still, she had a whole day left with nothing to do… What was a grown mare to do in a little village like this? Maybe an afternoon at the spa-? Nah, too expensive and Twins always did give her the heebie jeebies. Anon did still have that novel that bookish Liberian gave her, yet it was honestly becoming a slog near the end with how heavy hooved a lot of the dialogue and writing was getting. As she strutted in thought, her eyes did drift up towards the sign of the local bakery…. Eyes widened as she realized the perfect thing for today, a treat! Yes, a treat… Who said a mare couldn’t indulge her desires every once and a while? The mare did take a pause to look into her saddle bag, She did seem to have more than enough pocket coinage to get herself a few treats… She pushed inside, seeing and hearing a bustling store. A long line up at the front counter, the small stalls packed with ponies enjoying their sweats together, even a few sharing something as intimate as a root beer float with two straws. Anon snorted to herself and rolled her eyes. Young love… As cheesy as it was she still felt happy for whoever she saw living their best lives together. Trotting into line, she looked up at the menu overhead, seeing many different offerings and pastries for sale. Some marked out to show they were sold out. Darn… Donut holes would have been the perfect hoof food for when she got back home. Maybe an eclair then? Ohh… But what about a pack of cupcakes? It was all so good sounding. She never did have that much of a sweet tooth, but she never did outgrow her love for a good sweet as a filly. The fresh smell of baked goods nearly reminded her of her mother too… Snapping down from the menu, she kept in line to see it was progressing quicker than expected. Much quicker. The two owners seemed to keep track of orders, with what sounded like a circus coming from the kitchen. Whoever was making was certainly doing everything they could to keep up. That’s when she saw that distinct cotton pink mane. That all too familiar mare carrying what was undoubtedly a full sized birthday cake, complete with at least an inch of frosting and little figurine of a colt with a bat and filly with a butterfly next running opposed to one another. Twins perhaps? With a loud ‘spoing’ following each hop, the cotton maned mare bounced in between the two older ponies and placed it onto the counter for the Stallion in front of Anon. Eyes still wide, she instinctively turned her head and prayed to Celestia she wouldn’t spot her right away. She couldn’t bear another encounter with the rosy terror. “Here you go, Miss! Tell Home Hitter and Buggy I said hi! I'll make sure to stop by their party when I can!” The pink mare giggled with her bubbly tune, the same one that nearly drained the life from her and startled Anon half to death her first week here. She still remembers the near heart attack her first ‘surprise party’ was. Although exploding out of a massive cake mysteriously snuck into Anon’s home with noise makers and fireworks wasn’t entirely a good kind of surprise. As that mare in front of her thanked the good baker and turned to leave, Anon’s ears folded back at the small but sharp gasp directed to her. Agh… Stepping forward to the counter, Anon looked towards Pinkie with a faint, if weary grin, waving towards her with little passion. “Hi…” She called out, clearly already wanting to speed through this social encounter as quickly as possible. “Oh Hi Nonny! I didn’t see you walk in!” The Bubblegum mare giggled out, her sugary sweet tune always so tooth rottingly thick for Anon. Don’t get her wrong, the green mare did enjoy Pinkie’s enthusiasm and sweetness to an extent, it always seemed a little thick… Even thicker than the amount of calories her average pastry contained. Her crystal baby blue eyes locked with Anon’s emerald globes, sparkling like gemstones as Pinkie grew an especially wide grin, her already pink cheeks flushing an even deeper shade. The Mare bouncing and hopping in place almost akin to an excited puppy. Even her tail was wagging. “What brings you by? OH-! Are you invited to Home Hitter and Buggy’s birthday party too?” Pinkie Pie asked, already chattering way until Anon spoke up. “Erm, No. Sadly not. I don’t really… do birthday parties. Or Parties in general. You know that.” Anon answered, acknowledging their first encounter. Of which Pinkie only giggled yet again in response. “That’s a real shame, Nonny, they’re two of the nicest colts and fillies I know! Did you know Home Hitter scored a home run at his latest game, and shared his victory pizza with the opposing team-!?” Pinkie asked again, seemingly just using this as an excuse to talk Anon’s ear off. “...I wouldn’t have guessed by his name, but I’ll take your word. Now- If you don’t mind if I place my order…?” Anon asked, trying to swerve back onto topic. “Oh? Oh my bad! Silly me!” Another infectious giggle that earned a chuckle out of pure exasperation from Anon. “What will it be, Nonny? We have a special on super choco chunky iced fritters with extra sprinkles today!” Taking a breath, Anon tapped her chin as she glanced up at the menu once more, before looking back down to Pinkie, now leaning onto the counter with one hoof under her chin, tail wagging still. Both owners gave her an odd look, the blue mare giving a light hearted chuckle as the lanky husband seemed to roll his eyes at the mare. “Well, I was gonna order some donut holes, but since you’re o-” “Oh those? Those are super duper easy to whip up!” Pinkie bounced back onto her hooves. “Just go sit in a stall and I’ll bring them right to you! Be back in a little while!” Before Anon could even speak up and correct Pinkie, the rosy mare was already bouncing harder than a highly elastic ball shooting down a hallway, springing back into the kitchen. Leaving the emerald mare in silence, hoof in the air as she was about to continue. Before sighing and shaking her head. “Pinkie gets really excited from time to time… You usually got to lead with what you want right away.” The older stallion answered, rubbing his neck as he shrugged. “...Yeah, she really does get excited.” Anon tiredly chuckled again, before gesturing back to an empty stall. “You just sit right back, with how Pinkie sounded shouldn’t be less than a wink she’s already done with your order.” He added on again, Anon nodded with a thankful smile before turning and making her way. A freshly cleared stall, the candy colored faux leather stretching and squeaking like smooth rubbery plastic under her rump. One elbow on the table and she blew a few strands of hair from her face. The green mare should have thought twice about coming in… She should have just gone to that other mare’s stall, that one that made candy exclusively. Although chances were she would have run into that odd mint colored mare around there as well. And the only thing Anon disliked more than Pinkie’s occasionally grating excitement was getting into another long winded argument over the seasonal rot and eventual controversial reboot of a show with that mare again. What event sparked that the first time anyways…? She could barely remember… Lost in her thoughts, Anon didn’t hear that ominous ‘spoing’ until a hefty bag was placed right before her, making the green mare job on the spot. Pinkie immediately takes the seat across from her. The scent of freshly baked and glazed goods filling Anon’s lungs. They did still smell amazing… Even mouth watering as Anon was forced to swallow what was in her throat before licking her lips. “Hmmm… These do smell wonderful…!” Anon smiled, looking up at Pinkie before reaching back into her saddlebag. “How much do I owe you? I know you were already out so I kinda feel bad for making you go through all that hassle.” “Oh no worries, Nonny! I always do what I can for the ponies I care about! Don’t even sweat it, it’s on me!” Pinkie grinned, still blushing as she watched Anon from across the small table. “I even made them special just for you!” Anon perked up, raising a brow. Oh… Oh Celestia don’t tell her Pinkie was doing the same… And what did she mean by that? She looked towards the bag, cracking it open to see dozens of expertly made and baked donut holes, glazed in chocolate icing with what looked like… Little green question marks as sprinkles. “I made super special sprinkles just for you! I know you’re not a big ‘sweats’ or ‘party’ kind of pony, but I still wanted to make something you’d like! Erm, do you?” Pinkie asked, perking her head to the side, That innocent look on her face, if it were literally any other pony than Anon, she was sure Punkie would make them diabetic through pure exposure. Why did this mare have to go the extra mile on something like this? It almost made Anon feel bad for whatever she was about to ask. Taking a moment to dig one out, she sniffed the small bite before sliding it past her lips. Anon’s eyes shot wide open as she felt an explosion of creamy chocolate flavor with the sugary overload of the countless sprinkles. It put her own mothers cooking to shame and threatened to send her back to culinary school. After a hesitant moment, Anon finally swallowed, a wide and surprised smile crossing her lips. “They’re… really good! Best I’ve ever tasted Pinkie!” Anon answered, only for the Pink Mare to grow the widest smile Anon had ever seen. A loud rubbery squeak playing out as she did. Her crystal eyes glittering even more than before. “I’m so-so-so-so glad you liked it, Nonny!” Pinkie giggled, reaching straight across the small table and wrapped her forelegs around Anon’s neck, pulling her into a tight squeeze. Nuzzling against her and nearly crushing the bag of Donut Holes. “I was almost afraid you wouldn’t!” “Urk-! Pinkie, space please!” Anon gagged a little from the tight choking squeeze, before being released and coughing up a little. Pinkie covered her mouth in a timid manner more akin to Fluttershy. “Heh-! S-Sorry, Nonny, I forgot, rule number one-” “No surprise death hugs…” Anon answered, taking a breath as she gave Pinkie a small look. But regained that small smile regardless. “But… Again, thank you. I really do like it… Are you sure you don’t want me to pay?” Pinkie perked up at Anon’s question, before developing yet another uncharacteristic expression. A more coy and playful smirk. “Well… I can think of one way you can thank me, Nonny~” Taken back just a bit, Anon leaned back into her seat and looked at Pinkie oddly. “...How’s that?” Her tune curious and almost afraid to ask. Pinkie kept eyeing Anon intently, still fluttering her eyelashes before reaching forward, booping Anon square on her nose. “I still need a plus one for Home Hitter and Buggy’s birthday! What do you say you tag along after I’m done with today's work and we can go together! There'll be lots of games and shows!” Anon’s nose scrunched up, both from the touch of Pinkie’s hoof and the request.. Of course she’d ask for that… She rolled her eyes before shaking her head. “You know I don’t do parties, Pinkie. Plus I wouldn’t be… you know, kinda weird turning up at a random colt and fillies birthday party unannounced?” Anon asked. Pinkie’s smile fell as she pouted. “Pretty please, Anon? You said you wanted to repay me for the snack right? Just tag along and play one tiiiiiiiny game of pin the head on the hydra! Plus you could use some fun every once in a while!” Anon frowned at the request. “Listen, Pinkie- I know you really want me to, but I’m no good at parties. I’m not sure if you want me there-” “Pretty Pleeeeeeaaaaaaase~!” Pinkie suddenly cried, hooves clenched together in a prayer. Many eyes suddenly turned towards the two mares after Pinkie Pies display. The Mare in question giving the most heart wrenching puppy eyes Anon had ever seen. After a long, long moment of silence and awkward tension, Anon caved. Sighing as she ran a hoof down her face. “...Fine, alright. I’ll tag along.” Just as Pinkie prepared to bounce right into the ceiling and squeal, an emerald hoof grabbed her by her own hoof and pulled her back down into the stall. “But-” “But?” Pinkie repeated, tilting her head. “Only for a few games. I still wanna spend my early day off at home. I’ll play a few games and maybe until they cut the cake, but that’s all. Are we clear?” Anon asked, still holding onto Pinkie’s hoov, when realizing how that may appear to some who didn’t catch the full conversation let go and sat back. Only for Pinkie to giggle excitedly, nodding her head. “Crystal! Just let me wrap up some more orders and we can head over now!” Pinkie answered. “Even if it’s just a few games, It’s always fun getting to play with you, Nonny~” With a playful wink, one Anon wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret, she watched as Pinkie climbed from the stall and bounced once more… Like a giggly confusing beach ball. She sighed exhaustively as she leaned back into her seat, rummaging into her snack bag and pulled out a few holes to chew on. Maybe a little party would help her loosen up a little…