//------------------------------// // Incredible pleasure // Story: MMMystery of My Heart // by cartuneslover19 //------------------------------// Yeah, it's been a while since I've uploaded anything, but now I've FINALLY got this story started! :) Pretend like 'Discordant Feelings' never happened and that poor Discord is still in stone...:( But other than that, enjoy! :D __________________________________________________________________________________________________ He laughed to ignore the ongoing growling his stomach refused to cease, having witnessed a culinary masterpiece vanish in mere seconds. That pink pony had a bigger appetite than a fully-grown dragon, and the sight of her patting her bulging belly, licking frosting and sprinkles off her cheeks, made the griffon wish he had snuck a bite before the competition had begun; that Pinkie Pie as well as three of her friends had the valor to do such a thing back on the train. At least the kind solar princess herself managed to get a slice, much thanks to the kindness and consideration of a certain violet unicorn. “Well, so much for ‘let them eat cake’... Speaking of which... Gustav Le Grand shifted his eyes over to the sight of the mare herself as she stifled her giggles, simply humoring her satisfied friend lounging on the table. Though her purple eyes shone with melancholy that she never had the chance to taste the creation they had all worked on, her smile remained, still sincerely happy the cake had won. Twilight’s eyes loomed over Pinkie Pie as she strolled closer to the table. “Uh, Pinkie, do you need help getting up?” Her friend slowly turned her head, rubbing her belly as she gave the unicorn a content smile. She was about to speak, but then let out a massive belch. Twilight stepped back, a bit disgusted, but dare didn’t complain about it. “Now that is a cake!” Pinkie Pie beamed. Struggling a bit, she managed to roll herself off the table before her hooves finally touched grass, however, she wobbled a bit, due to the consumption of the entire cake. The unicorn smiled, watching as Pony Joe and Mulia Mild walked over to congratulate Pinkie Pie, confessing their gratitude for saving them from humiliation after the so-called ‘cake mystery incident’. Gustav’s beak curved into a smile, just as grateful that, despite having been uncontrollable in unintentionally consuming his rivals’ pastries and losing his own in the process; Pinkie Pie really pulled them all through and he had to thank her for that. “Well, since the competition is over with, I suggest we all just enjoy the other competitors’ goods as well.” However, deep down, someone else deserved the thanks even more. The griffin glanced back at the sight of Twilight Sparkle, doing her best to pull back one of her friends, an orange pony with a hat, from the depression of never having the chance to savor the cake as well. He watched as the violet mare’s eyes lowered in sympathy, patting the other pony with a comforting hoof, earning her a smile. It was no surprise to him that the unicorn was so good at encouraging others; she had done the same thing back on the train ride to Canterlot, when he had acted like a pompous jerk and degrading her friend’s original cake. The way her voice flowed when he had glared daggers at his rivals, how her words soothed the tension that was beginning to rise between him, Pony Joe, and Mulia Mild. She was just one of those ponies who didn’t wish for a fight to break out between others, and she showed that in a way that wasn’t disrespectful...unlike a few of her friends, that was for sure. He watched as Twilight gave her orange-colored friend an encouraging nudge to go ahead and sample the other baked goods in the garden. As the other mare, Applejack she was named, trotted to do what she had desired to do ever since boarding the train, his eyes remained on the violet mare, who was then approached by Princess Celestia herself. Simply catching up, of course. During the train ride, Pony Joe had mentioned to him that Twilight originally resided in Canterlot, before she decided to stay in Ponyville to be close to her friends. She was Princess Celestia’s prized pupil, and her dear friend. To some, they would say Twilight Sparkle was very lucky to have such a close touch with one of the two rulers of Equestria. Gustav had to disagree. He believed it was the other way around. He continued watching her, idly walking as to not stand around like some statue. He watched as she and Princess Celestia shared a laugh. As Twilight laughed, Gustav noticed how soft yet bubbly it sounded. Not scratchy as of compared to some mares’ shrieks, or annoying like one unintentionally bringing one to the brink of sadness, nor ‘fake’ like some who just laugh to humor others with reluctance; this mare’s laugh sounded genuine. Immediately, Twilight shifted her gaze from the princess, and Gustav realized she had caught him staring at her. The griffin let out a startled gasp, and before he knew it, his body crashed into a nearby table of pies which, thankfully, none had toppled over onto the ground. Gustav’s feathers ruffled with embarrassment as he gave the owner of the pies a quick apology, then nervously shifted his eyes over to Twilight, and, much to his added anxiety, she continued watching him. She raised an eyebrow at his little incident, not appalled, just slightly curious. He hurriedly scampered out of sight, feeling the redness enter in his feathery cheeks. “Oh, sweet croissant...” He murmured to himself as he kept his head low. He continued walking before he suddenly found himself near the garden’s entrance, out of anypony’s sight. He let out a troubled sigh, before his talons idly played with his long mustache. “Hey, Gustav!” He flinched, pinching the ending tail of his mustache in surprise before he quickly whirled around. There she stood, her purple eyes blinking curiously at him while her long mane bounced a bit as she cocked her head to regard him closely. He felt the feathers at the back of his neck stick up at end, making the scarf he wore feel almost uncomfortable. Still, he managed a smile, immediately removing his talon that was so tightly pinching at his mustache. “Ah, Madmoiselle Twilight,” he greeted with as much calm cheer as he could muster. She just smiled at him, her purple eyes serving her name well. “I just wanted to tell you personally congrats for your part of that unique cake...that Pinkie had consumed in a few seconds,” she added with an unenthusiastic tone. The griffon managed a chuckle, waving a talon like it was no big deal. “Oh, thank you, Twilight,” he said. “I am just happy my eclairs did not go in disgrace!” Recalling that moment on the train when he discovered his pastries eaten down as if a wild parasprite had been present, he was sure he had almost fainted. “Well, I can understand a baker’s pride,” the unicorn rolled her eyes humorously, “but in any way, I doubt your eclairs might have become a ‘disgrace’. I mean, you heard what Pony Joe said; he absolutely adored them! And I will admit that I was a bit jealous that he actually got to try your eclairs, rapidly consuming them in the process.” Her light praise really surprised Gustav, and hearing such a compliment made him feel even more confident than he usually was. She was an extremely smart pony, so he just knew she was telling him the truth. “Well, anything made by these hands,” he announced proudly, raising his claws above his torso, “is a must-have recipe to eat!” “Oh, I can understand that!” Twilight beamed. “Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the ones who made that massive dessert, make the best goodies in Ponyville! With a little Pinkie touch.” She added with a wink. She looked so sure and confident when she said that, and the griffon found himself even more impressed than ever by her knowing attitude and immediate gesture. Things suddenly became silent, save for the ongoing bustle and chatter occurring back in the garden. Gustav cleared his throat, deciding to break the awkward silence and strike up any kind of conversation with the young mare. “So,” he began, his accent becoming slightly thicker, “Celestia’s pride and joy, no?” Twilight lowered her head, her cheeks red with embarrassment. “I’m just her student.” “Her star student,” the griffon chuckled. “Pony Joe told me everything.” “Oh, that Joe!” Twilight threw her head back with a laughable scoff. “He even brags to his customers about my life in the castle whenever I visit his shop.” “You must admit, Twilight Sparkle,” Gustav insisted, “you are, after all, one of a kind.” His eyes immediately widened when he realized just what on Earth left his mouth. The unicorn gave him a surprised look, quite taken aback by his choice of words. Why in sweet almond cookies did he put it like that? Was he...flirting? Celestia, no! It was simply a compliment, and judging by the unicorn as he had noticed her on the train, she was not one to be fooled around with in lousy charm or cheesy lines. He quietly gazed at Twilight, whose ears appeared more perked up as she regarded him closely, as if contemplating what he had just told her. He was almost terrified he was pushing toward somewhere, but he mentally blew a sigh of relief when the mare simply smiled, her eyes not flashing any sign of question. “As if I can’t say the same for you!” She laughed aloud. The griffon raised an eyebrow questionably, and Twilight just rolled her eyes, keeping her smile. “Well, other than how rare it is to come across griffons,” she said nonchalantly, “meeting one who bakes, let alone famous for doing that is an incredible pleasure.” Incredible pleasure...did Gustav just hear that right? The words rang in his ears, the unicorn’s voice making his brain do a double leap. True, in Manehatten, he had often been described as ‘magnificent’ or even ‘extraordinary’, and the occasional ‘master chef’... But to be referred to as an 'incredible pleasure'...that struck something new in him. Something very new, indeed. Twilight noticed how silent he had become and immediately grew worried that she might have said something not to his satisfaction. “I’m sorry,” she quickly apologized, “were you hoping something more along the lines of perhaps ‘magnificent’ or ‘extraordinary’?” The griffon almost thought she was smart enough to read minds, but judging by her expression he must have looked ridiculous after drinking in such a compliment. “Oh, no,” he laughed forcibly, “I am quite touched by your small praise.” He was starting to return back to his pompous, overly-confident self, but the mare didn’t seem to notice. Or perhaps didn’t mind. Twilight gave a warm smile, knowing too well how she and this griffon had somewhat bonded and formulated something of a friendship. There was still so much she wanted to know about him: his career, his home, his ups and downs, maybe even what brings utter joy to him other than baking. One step at a time, she needed to remind herself. It would be just like the very first time she met her five friends from Ponyville. The mare felt her smile grow bigger as she stood by the griffon’s side, much to his surprise. She gestured a hoof back to where the aisles of sweets and pastries awaited them. “We should get something to eat,” she insisted. Gustav said nothing, having forgotten how much his stomach had growled earlier. Seeing as she was not leaving him alone anytime soon, he nodded. He was fine with that. It would be an incredible pleasure. Silently, walking back into the garden, Twilight led him back to the table where the cake once stood. The griffon was slightly confused by why she had brought him back here. Perhaps this was the best place to talk and she wanted to bring up more about the incident on the train? He watched as the back of her mane bobbed while she turned her head. She gave him a coy look. Why did that look suddenly give him such chills? The chills that actually feel sort of nice? Suddenly, whipped right in front of his face, in a glowing red aura, a plate of dessert was present. However, it wasn’t just any dessert. “A slice of the cake?” He gasped in surprise, shifting his eyes from the delicacy to the mare herself. Twilight chuckled, her horn glowing such a peaceful red. “Well, Princess Celestia gave me half of her slice after Pinkie consumed the whole cake.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Since Applejack had been the only one besides me who didn’t give into temptation and nearly cost the competition, I offered her some. But she refused.” She laughed and shook her head. “Said I should have my cake and eat it, too. All of it.” Gustav just listened, quite pleased by the princess’ generosity, and even more so by Twilight’s. The unicorn glanced at him, her smile just as warm as the sun. “I thought maybe since we’ve had quite a good chat,” she offered, the plate floating beside her, “maybe you’d like some?” The griffon’s eyes widened. “Me?” He jabbed a feather at his chest, almost feeling disbelief. “Well, yeah,” she laughed, “I mean, you were co-creator of the cake, remember?” He watched as she placed the plate down on the table beside them, her magic glow fading away. Immediately, her horn glowed once more as she brought out two forks in front of them. “Come on, Gustav,” she urged playfully. “At least have a bite of your victory.” Fingers felt delicate as they grasped one of the forks, he continued gazing at her as she used her magic to push the plate closer to him, her eyes holding some plead. The way her eyes were directed at him, with that warm smile and the mental push she was giving, the griffon felt the feathers from the back of his neck stick out once more. Ever so slowly, he dipped his fork into the slice, allowing it to slide through frosting and sprinkles before he lifted it up to his lips. Finally, he tasted what he had help create. The flavor followed by the joyful expression Twilight gave him as he sampled it, he could only think of two words to describe the entirety in general. Incredible pleasure. __________________________________________________________________________________________________