“You’re…what?!?!” The loud, stunned announcement from the colt made Mr. Pack, the mule store owner flinch in surprise and regret. The mule had been slowly falling into a genuine panic since he had opned the shop that morning, and he knew in his heart that this was going to be the end result. Sure enough, he found himself staring down at a completely devastated grey colt.
“When you weren’t in front of the store this morning, I didn’t think anything of it. But Celestia help me as soon as I was behind the counter, the next six ponies that came through the door all asked for Pygg Iron Pans.” All Peppermill could do was soundless work his jaw up and down.
“At first I thought nothing of it. But by the time I had sold the third and there was no sign of you, I actually got worried. It’s not considered proper business etiquette, but for a few minutes I honestly considered taking the last of the pans to the back store room in case you showed up…”
“Slept…in…” rasped Peppermill, his voice barely audible.
“But by the time I had gathered what was left I found myself suddenly selling the last of them. I still can’t quite fathom why all six would sell in less than an hour like that. I’ve never had anything like that happen to me in all my years of retail.”
“All six…just like that.” croaked Peppermill, his mind reeling.
“I’m really and truly sorry son. If it means anything to you, I have no issue in letting you have a sizable discount on anything you see here.”
“No…that’s fine…Mr. Pack. Thank you…anyways…” Peppermill turned around and staggered out of the building on wobbly legs.
***
Peppermill was in no mood to deal with anypony so he half-ran, half-stumbled all the way back to Sweet Apple Acres. Despite all of his options, including his room or his private spot in the barn’s hay loft, he found his legs taking him back to the small rise away from the rest of the busy activity of the farm. It had been just the previous night that he and Big Macintosh had come to their agreement and the cook had been given the bits he needed to afford the pan he so desperately desired. It seemed strangely…fitting for the place for his to mull over how his dream had been squashed like an apple into sauce.
Sitting under the tree and staring blankly out at the horizon, the colt attempted for the seemingly millionth time that morning to digest just what he had been told. For over a week not one single pony in town save for him knew or even cared about the precious cooking utensils held by Mr. Pack. Despite all of the trials he had faced and the rather painful life lessons he learned through them, he had managed to get the precious coin he needed by simply asking his family for it.
But it had been too little too late…
“I can’t shake…the feeling that…I brought this…on myself.” remarked the colt to the air. “I mean…I don’t even remember…how many ponies I told about…those pans. I suppose it is…entirely possible that…I praised a little…too much about them.” Peppermill gave a sigh and closed his eyes as he attempted to recall who might have overheard his worshipful speech about the cast iron pans.
“Who do…I know that could…even afford one of them? Would anypony…even know the proper…way to season or clean one? Would they even…use it or…just consider it a…status item? Ugh…” The thought of one of those pans just sitting gathering dust in a cupboard made him shudder in disgust.
“Twenty years…isn’t that long…of a time, is it? I’m sure that…by then I won’t…have to borrow money…at least, I hope…” Peppermill tried to put on a brave face in light of this realization, but he found it hard. He was ready to just sulk on the rise for the rest of the day when he heard the racing hoofsteps of a pony approaching fast to his location. He glanced over his withers to see his elder sister Applejack racing towards him with an anxious expression on her face.
“Dang nabit Peppermill!” exclaimed the mare crossly as she came to a stop. “Ah wish you’d tell me where you go wanderin’ off to. Ahv been looking fer you everywhere.”
“Sorry Applejack…” the colt apologized soberly. “Is everything…all right?”
“Well ah don’t rightly know. There is a whole mess o’ ponies at the farmhouse lookin fer ya.” explained the mare.
“A bunch of…ponies looking for me?” Curious of this turn of events, the colt followed his sister back towards the big farm house in the middle of Sweet Apple Acres. It turned out Applejack was quite accurate in her statement, for even as they got closer Peppermill recognized quite a few ponies milling about. Peppermill recognized Mr. Davenport, the Spa Twins Aloe and Lotus, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle and Silver Spoon all gathered by the house. All of them looked, well, rather sheepish and they all had…
…
…
…
“You can’t…be serious…” Peppermill felt surprised, shocked and a little annoyed at what he knew had to be six very well-made pan-shaped lumps of iron all sitting at their apparent owner’s hooves. The colt’s hoofsteps became heavy as he stomped over to the gathered group, and with little attempt at civility he thundered.
“What in…the hay…is going on here?” The five adult ponies and single filly all collectively cringed at the colt’s bellow, while Applejack gave him a scolding look. The group seemed to look at one another, trying to silently decide who would attempt to answer the angry colt’s question. Finally, Twilight Sparkle stepped forward.
“I know this might look rather bad, but there is a very good explanation for this Peppermill…”
“Humph…”
“After everything you’ve been saying about these pans, I went and did some research. It turns out I didn’t have to, because when I told Spike about them he got just as excited as you were. I decided that a compromise could be made.”
“A…compromise?”
“Since you and Spike are probably the only two in Ponyville that would make good use of one of these, I figured out a month-by-month planner so that the two of you could share it. I did have to sort of beg Spike to let you take the first month.” With that explanation, Twilight levitated the pan and deposited it at the colt’s hooves.
“I suspect that Miss Sparkle was the one to buy the first pan.” remarked Davenport, taking over the story. “For I understand I arrived to the shop just after she left.”
“Oh?” Peppermill was only half-listening, for his gaze was focused on the pan sitting before him.
“The simple truth is that after how badly things turned out at the shop I decided on a plan. I figured I would buy a pan and then…well, sell it to you. That way you would be guaranteed to have one.”
“Zat is what I had intended, at least until I found out my dear sister was doing things behind my back.” This was the comment from Lotus, who gave her twin a dark look. Aloe, for her part, gave a wince and an apologetic look to both her sister and the colt. “She apparently did ze exact same thing, for ze exact same reason.”
“It appears I may have arrived between the times when Aloe and Lotus purchased their pans.” explained Rarity quickly. “Though I had every intention of giving you the pan as a gift, and I was not about to take ’no’ for an answer.”
“I was going to wait until at least Hearthswarming Eve.” piped up Silver Spoon. “I…wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well…I am definitely…surprised. By…all of you…” Peppermill gazed at his friends, trying to decide just how to respond to this turn of events.
“Look sugarcube, ah know ya have yer pride and all, but ah wouldn’t look at a gift horse in the mouth.” This comment from Applejack caused a small amount of good-natured chuckling and giggling from the assembled group.
“Why Applejack, I would have never expected you to make a joke like that.” smiled Rarity.
“It sounds like something that Peppermill you say.” giggled Silver Spoon.
“It’s true…it does sound like…a joke I’d make.” admitted Peppermill.
“Well, I reckon yer rubbin’ off on me suagrcube.” grinned the blond mare.
“Nonetheless, she does make a valid point.” Davenport cleared his throat. “I don’t think it is going to be possible for you to refuse all of our gifts.” The colt knew the stallion was right, and he began to think hard. He did this in his usual fashion: he sat on the ground, one foreleg wrapped around his barrel and the other lightly tapping his temple, while his head was cocked to one side, closed eyes and softly talking to himself.
“Deep thinkin’.” murmured Applejack.
“It is a rather important decision. If it helps, I wouldn’t worry too much about offending anypony darling.” announced Rarity, but whether Peppermill heard or not was up to debate. Eventually, the colt gave a grunt as he hopped upright. He approached Twilight and spoke firmly.
“Since I know…that Spike would truly appreciate…a Pygg Iron Pan…not to mention he…is the only one other…than me who would know the…proper way to season and store one…he is welcome to it.”
“I’m sure he’ll make good use of it.” smiled Twilight. The colt turned to the other adult ponies before him.
“As for the rest…of you, all…I ask is that you…do everything you can to…take good care of those pans. Should…you ever want any…advice or recipes…I’ll be happy to offer them.”
“That’s very kind of you. You know, I’ve wondered if I should look beyond just my usual bachelor fare.” chuckled Davenport.
“But what do we do with two pans?” asked Aloe.
“Hmm…perhaps a drawing? Or a contest?” offered the ever shrewd Lotus.
“I’m sure you will find a good way to use your extra pan darling. As for me, I must admit I’ve come across some rather interesting recipes that require one of these pans. I may not be able to match your skill peppermill, but I am no slouch in the kitchen…” beamed Rarity. Her smile was only matched by that of Silver Spoon as Peppermill approached her.
“I’m…not so sure I have…the patience to wait…until Hearthswarming Eve…” admitted Peppermill.
“To be honest, I don’t think I do either.”
“Thank you…Silver Spoon. Not just…for the pan…but for talking…some sense into me.”
“Better I talk than buck like some fillies I know…”
“Huh, all this fuss fer a pan.” Applejack prodded one of the heavy utensils with a forehoof. “Are you sure you can even lift one of these sugarcube?”
“They are kind of heavy.” agreed Silver Spoon. “If it hadn’t been for Mr. Davenport I wouldn’t have gotten that pan here.”
“That reminds me, I do own you a debt of gratitude for carrying my pan as well Mr. Davenport.” remarked Rarity sweetly.
“You are very strong monsieur Davenport.” agreed Aloe.
“And tres charming as well.” nodded Lotus, batting her eyes. The stallion, unaccustomed to the attention of three very pretty mares, could only look away with a furious blush. He found himself flanks by them as they began their trip back to town. Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle lifted the cast iron pan into a saddle bag with her magic and went on her way. This left the two young ponies and the apple farmer in front of the farmhouse.
“So, what are you going to make first with it?” asked Silver Spoon. “I’d love to try whatever you have in mind, if that is okay?”
“Ah kinda wonder wut ya intend to do myself sugarcube.” added Applejack.
“Make?” The sudden blank look on the colt’s face made Applejack and Silver Spoon share a puzzled look. “Huh…I guess I was…so intent on getting…the money to buy one…I never even thought…about what I might make with it. There are…so many things you…can cook with cast iron.”
“I might have an idea or two. We should compare notes.” offered Silver Spoon, not one to waste a chance at spending some time with her friend.
“Ah guess I’ll leave you two to it then. And I hope ya learned yerself a lesson Peppermill. There ain’t no shame in asking fer help, no matter how proud ya are.”
“Yes Applejack.”
“And that nopony is perfect…”
“Yes Applejack…”
“And bits don’t grow on trees…and that there ain’t no substitute fer good, honest work…”
“Applejack, there are…apples to be bucked.” intoned the colt gravely.
“Er, right.” The mare sheepishly went on her way, leaving a puzzled Silver Spoon to look at Peppermill.
“She sometimes…gets upset when…I go to Big Macintosh…for help instead of her.”
“O-kay?”