//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Insecurities and Opportunities // Story: Between a Rock Farm and a New Place. // by Random_User //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Insecurities and Opportunities Marble started awake. She could not recall enough of the dream to be able to call it a nightmare, but it had been enough to jolt out of her sleep, whatever it had been. She lay still for a few minutes, trying to calm her restless mind. Her efforts proved fruitless. With a soft sigh, she quietly sat up. She looked over to where Pinkie was peacefully sleeping in her bed and decided to do something that she had not done in years. She made her way to Pinkie's bed, put her pillow beside Pinkie’s, gently raised the sheets, and slid in behind her sister. Marble put her forelegs around Pinkie and relaxed. Pinkie’s breathing never changed and Marble soon joined her in sleep. At some point in the early morning, Pinkie stirred enough to realize that Marble had joined her in the bed. Her movements brought Marble out of her sleep. “Sorry Pinkie, I didn’t mean to wake you up.” “You didn’t.” She turned over to face Marble. The expression on Marble’ face worried her. She delicately asked, “Sis, you alright?” “I don’t know Pinkie. I’m scared.” Pinkie smirked. “You silly filly, Granny Pie told us what to do when we’re scared. You just giggle at…” Marble put a hoof over Pinkie’s mouth before she could start singing. “Not that kind of scared, Pinkie. I don’t want to mess up at the café.” Pinkie rubbed Marble’s shoulder, trying to get her to relax. “You won’t. You’re a great cook or chef or whatever you’re supposed to call it. If they didn’t think you could go all the fixing and plating and chef stuff, they wouldn’t have asked you for help again.” Marble did not respond and would not meet Pinkie’s eyes. “You’re not telling me something. Tell auntie Pinkie about it and she can make it all better.” Marble laughed a short bark of a laugh. “You’re my younger sister, not my aunt.” Pinkie poked her in the chest. “Just work with it.” “Alright, Auntie, here it goes.” Marble took a breath and poured out her soul. “I feel like this is the opportunity I’ve been looking for. You know I love our parents, but working with rocks, gems, and geodes has never been my thing. When you left, I was so happy for you, and I was jealous all at the same time. I thought I had gotten my own ticket away from the farm when I graduated from culinary school. That didn’t pan out like I thought it would. If I botch this, I feel like I may never get another opportunity.” Pinkie gave her a knowing look. “You still haven’t had a heart to heart with mom and dad, have you?” Marble slowly shook her head. “You need to. They helped me get my job with the Cakes. They will understand.” “I don't think it's going to be that easy with them, and who would help them take care of the farm if I left? I don’t think I can just leave Limestone by herself.” Pinkie gave Marble a sister-to-sister look. “Limestone loves what she does. She also won’t be alone forever. I’m sure she and that coltfriend of hers are going to tie the knot. Mom and dad can always hire help. They have more than enough bits to make it work. Hiring more ponies would also keep mom and dad from overworking like they have before.” “That would help me not worry about them so much.” Even in the dark, Pinkie’s eyes shown with mischief. “You haven’t talked about Horte at all. He’s part of your worries too, I can tell. I think you’ve been watching what you eat to snag a coltfriend of your own.” Marble did not even try to evade Pinkie’s probing. “I thought if I worked at it, and watched what I ate, somepony would notice me. I didn’t expect it to happen like this. It just makes things that much more complicated.” “I knew it. When you and Horte were talking, I got a twitch a twitching in my left back hoof. That means there’s some serious flirting going on.” “You and your Pinkie sense don’t leave me with many secrets.” Pinkie patted Marble’s head. “You shouldn’t have too many secrets. They usually end up hurting somepony in the end. Just ask my friends Rarity and Fluttershy.” She flung the covers off them, and leapt out of bed. “Time to get up, I’ve got to help get the morning baking done, and you’ve got some early deliveries to make.” Marble groaned at the thought. “Don’t remind me. They’re very heavy deliveries, to top it off.” Pinkie ribbed her, “Now, now. Look at it as another opportunity to burn calories and get that hinny of yours in shape with a good workout. You want to impress Horte don’t you?” “Only you would think so positively about hauling around a bunch of shiny rocks.” ***** Marble muttered under her breath as she pulled her cart down the street. The deliveries had taken longer than she had expected. She stopped by Sugar Cube Corner to drop off the cart and to take a quick shower. She was so pressed for time that she did not even finish drying her mane. She hurried out the door, and made for Grazing Meadow with a quick pace. Cuisine was adjusting the café’s seats and menus when she walked up. She noticed that he had on his vest, cuffs, and bow tie ensemble again. His mane was styled back like the first time she had seen him. “Sorry I’m cutting it close. The deliveries took a bit longer than I thought they would.” Cuisine glanced at the clock hanging on the café’s wall. “You’re actually a couple minutes early. If you don’t mind me asking, where did you have to deliver to?” His more formal tone had returned. Marble wondered if she had made him mad with her joke last night, but he did not seem aggravated at her. Marble listed, “Carousel Boutique, Odds and Ends, Karat’s Fine Gems, Golden Oak Library, and several stalls in the market place.” Cuisine looked towards the towering library tree. “You delivered to the library?” “Twilight buys our damaged or flawed gems as snacks for Spike. I thought my parents had lost it the first time I had to deliver there. Then I met Spike, and it all made sense.” Marble helped get the tables set up and then followed Cuisine into the kitchen. “Hello Mr. Tongs, I hope you’re feeling better.” “Just Tongs, please. I am feeling better, but I keep forgetting and trying to do things that aggravate it.” He huffed, “Cuisine has threatened to tie me up if I don’t stop trying to help.” “You can help, uncle. You will just have a different role today. You shall direct, and we shall play our parts for the café.” Cuisine bowed to Tongs, who just turned his eyes towards the ceiling. “Caramel will be joining us soon. He had to finish helping at Sweet Apple Acres, and will get here before things get busy at noon.” Tongs smiled. “He’s a nice colt, but he has the oddest bouts of luck. We were lucky to grab him when we did. With you and him helping, we’re back up to full staff.” Cuisine stuck his nose out the door. Looks like the first patrons are here. I’ll go attend to them. Remember, Uncle, no lifting, chopping, or anything else that could be construed as work.” Tongs made a shooing gesture at his nephew. “Just get, you worrywart.” Marble added, as Cuisine walked away, “I’ll make sure that he behaves.” Cuisine curtly nodded, and stepped out with another word. Tongs saw the slightly hurt expression on Marble’s face and reassured her, “Don’t worry, he likes you well enough. He puts on that veneer of his during work hours due to some family matters I won’t get into right at the moment. You can pry it out of him later. For now though, to use Cuisine’s description, I shall direct and you shall make the kitchen sing.” Marble worked her flank off. The constant stream of orders, special requests, and constant need to adapt on the fly kept her on her hooves. Tongs proved to be a talented ‘director.’ He pushed her, encouraged her, and taught her techniques that she had not known before. Even more importantly, he allowed her to make mistakes without erupting. He kept full on disasters from happening, but when she did something without efficiency or proper technique, he took the opportunity to teach and not berate her. By the end of the café’s lunch hours Marble felt that she had done more physical work in the kitchen than she had hauling the deliveries that morning. She took a long drink from her glass of water. “Ponies don’t realize how much goes on in the kitchen of a restaurant. There’s a reason that a lot of chefs are thin. They get a full workout every day.” Tongs took and refilled her glass. “You did very well, even better than yesterday.” “Thanks. It’s because you pulled me through.” “You would have managed without me. We’ve got to work on your confidence more than anything else.” He patted her shoulder and grinned. Caramel looked up at her, away from the sink and the dishes he was cleaning. Patches of suds covered him from his hooves all the way to his mane. “You did a whole lot better than I did as a server. It was a disaster!” Cuisine stepped back into the kitchen. “Caramel, you did fine. I’ve had years of training and experience. You got the orders right, that’s all anypony can ask for.” He turned to Marble. “Your cooking was complemented three times, there were no complaints, and only one pony noticed there was a difference in their typical order, which they liked. Overall, you’ve done a good job.” Marble sighed in relief and sat down on the cool kitchen floor. After a quick, simple lunch, which Cuisine prepared, the four ponies readied the kitchen for the dinner push. Cuisine inventoried the ingredients and spices needed for the evening, the kitchen’s equipment cleaned and prepped, Caramel made a quick run to the market to fill gaps in the supplies, and Tongs taught Marble about various practical kitchen maintenance and cooking preparation practices. The dinner herd began to stroll in, and the work began again with an even more hectic pace. Marble did all she could to keep up. At the end of the evening, she was tired, sore, and happy. She leaned against the counter with a contented smile. “That was crazy, but I loved it.” “That’s good. We didn’t scare you off on the first day then.” Tongs put the last of the cooking implements in their proper places. “Uncle, no working with that foreleg, you know better.” Tongs replied by sticking out his tongue at his mother hen of a nephew. “If putting up two ladles and a salad bowl is going to do me in, just go ahead and knock me over the head.” Cuisine took off his cuffs and then reached up and undid his tie. He took off his vest and then hung his outfit on one of the nearby wall hooks. As if his lack of formal attire was like him taking off a mask, Cuisine’s personality became much more casual. “It’s not that, I think that you’re doing just fine. I just don’t want to face nurse Red Heart’s wrath if she finds out I let you do anything at all.” Marble leaned over to Caramel, and asked, “Is she really that bad?” Caramel quickly nodded. “You better believe it. Red Heart takes her job very seriously.” Tongs reluctantly agreed with Cuisine. “Alright, you’ve got a point. I won’t even put anything away from now on. I wouldn’t put it past her to stick her head in the door and check in on me.” Caramel yawned widely. “Sorry, I would love to stay and chat, but I think it’s time I headed home. I have to be at Sweet Apple Acres in the morning again. They start early, and nurse Red Heart is not the only mare who I fear in this town. Applejack does not take kindly to ponies who show up for work late.” With Caramel’s comment, Marble realized how tired she was. Had she not leaned against the counter, she was sure she would be swaying on her hooves. Cuisine noticed her state and sympathetically smiled. “You’ve been going at it pretty hard all day too. I’ll walk you back to Sugar Cube Corner, if you would like.” She tried not to sound overly eager, as she responded, “I would love the company.” As the two left the kitchen, Caramel grinned at Tongs. “Looks like Cuisine has finally taken an interest in somepony. Nice gal too, they would do well together.” Tongs return smile did not match Caramel’s in enthusiasm. “I just hope he sees it, and doesn’t hide behind that professional front of his. He tends to do that when he gets nervous.” Caramel snorted. “She paid a lot of attention to him whenever he came into the kitchen, so the interest is pretty mutual, and she’s intelligent. I’ve got a feeling even if Cuisine tries that ploy of his; she’ll pull him out of his shell.” “I hope so. The colt needs it.” ***** “How is she doing that?” Cuisine titled his head one way and then another, trying to understand how Pinkie was able to remain plastered to Sugar Cube Corner’s window without sliding down, clearly in defiance of gravity and all the laws of physics. Marble face hoofed, embarrassed by her sister’s antics. “I don’t know. It’s just Pinkie being Pinkie again.” “That’s enough of an explanation for me. It must have been interesting growing up with her around.” She smiled even as she sighed. “You have no idea.” They reached the shop’s door. “Thanks for walking me back. Would you like to come in? I could make us some coffee.” “It’s a tempting idea, but I better head home. I don’t want to keep you up. You’ve had a long day.” He leaned in and whispered; “Besides if I came in, I think Pinkie would explode.” Marble cut her eyes towards the door, where she was sure she heard a pony quietly getting into position to lean against the door and eavesdrop. “She just might. It would serve her right, for being so nosy. Cuisine, did I really do a passable job today? Your uncle is so considerate I can’t tell if he was just being polite or not.” She looked into his golden eyes, searching for an honest answer. Her concerned tone surprised him. “Of course you did. I wasn’t in the kitchen the whole time, but I could tell that you were handling everything well. Tongs would have said something if there had been any major problems, or even minor ones. When he taught me, when I first started, he pointed out little tricks I could use all the time. Today, he seemed to be giving you pointers on how to improve more than anything else.” He put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. “He wouldn’t have suggested the idea of bringing you back in to help us if you weren’t good at what you do.” She brushed back a strand of her mane that had taken the opportunity to fall in front of her eyes. “If your uncle’s café means as much to him as the rock farm does to my parents, I have an idea of how important it is to him. Last night I was terrified that I would mess things up for you and your family.” Her expression of relief was so clear and honest; he had to resist the urge to hug her. “My family and I are pretty straight shooters.” A slight blush came to his cheeks. “Just as an example, I didn’t have a chance to tell you earlier, but I really liked how your mane looked this morning.” Her eyes widened. “But it was still damp. I didn’t do anything to it.” “I know.” There was a slight thud, as a pony on the other side of the door slid from her position against the door and onto the floor. “That’s my cue to leave. Sleep well. Tomorrow probably won’t be quite as hectic, but I’ve been wrong before.” She watched him go for a couple of seconds, and then opened the shop’s door. Pinkie had not even bothered to move from her newly acquired spot on the floor. “Pinkie, we need to talk.” Pinkie smiled up at her from the floor. “Not before you tell me about that part with your wet mane. I couldn’t hear his answer.” “I think he was just getting me back for my teasing him last night. Now get up.” ***** Marble hummed as she enjoyed the feeling of the warm water flowing through her mane and over her coat. She had slept soundly. The combination of knowing that she had not messed things up at the café, and the long day of work allowed her to get to sleep quickly. The only thing that marred the moment was the fact that she had forgotten to eat the night before and her grumbling innards reminded her about her oversight. Her talk with Pinkie turned from her trying to scold the pink dynamo to her telling about how the day went and how much she had learned. At the end of the conversation, she had crashed into bed, completely forgetting about eating. She reluctantly got out of the shower. Having lived in a house with four other ponies, she was conscious of how much hot water she used and kept her showers short. She reached out of the shower stall and grabbed a towel. She dried her mane and then wrapped the towel around her head. She reached out for another towel to dry the rest of her body, only to have her hoof meet with empty air. She stuck her head out of the shower and sighed when she realized there were no towels. “Great, and the morning was starting so well too.” She snuck out into the hall and to the linen closet. Again, she found no towels. “You have to be kidding me,” she growled to herself. She walked to the end of the hall, looked out the window and down into the backyard of the shop. The towels had been hung out to dry, but had not been brought back in. I must have distracted Pinkie from bringing them in last night. Marble started down the stairs, and thought she heard Pinkie talking to somepony. She braced herself, fully expecting to have to apologize to one of the Cakes for dripping on the floor. As she entered she shop, she realized Pinkie was not talking to either of the Cakes. She was talking to Cuisine. Cuisine’s eyes widened in shock at seeing Marble with her hair wrapped up and her coat still wet from her shower. He blushed a remarkable shade of red, swallowed, and meekly greeted her, “Good morning.” Marble made it back up the shop’s staircase in record time. Pinkie tried not to laugh, but she could not hold it in. After she managed to stop laughing, she told Cuisine, “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to get her a couple of towels.” She fetched a few of the towels and ran them up to her sister. “I’m sorry sis, I forgot all about the towels last night.” “It’s alright Pinkie. I should have checked to see how many towels were here before I hopped in the shower.” She smiled through the crack in the door. “At least his reaction was on the positive side.” Pinkie gave her a wink. “That’s the way to think! When life gives you lemons, make a lemon cake!” Carrot Cake groggily stumbled into the hall, causing Marble to shut the bathroom door. “Pinkie, what is going on? I thought I heard somepony running up the stairs. Why is the floor wet?” Pinkie explained, as she moped up the water with a spare towel. To Carrot, it was just another morning with Pinkie. He made his way to the shop, and paused at the sight of Cuisine. “Good morning sir,” Cuisine offered, as he extended his hoof over the counter top. Carrot shook the offered hoof. “May I help you? The shop doesn’t open for a little while.” Pinkie explained, as she came down the stair, “I let him in. He was going to ask Marble if she would like to get breakfast with him.” Marble slowly made her way back down the steps, just behind Pinkie. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Cake. I made a bit of a mess.” He smiled understandingly. “You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. You did what any pony would have done in your situation. Besides, I have two small foals and Pinkie under my roof. Trust me, this is not a mess.” Pinkie waved her sister towards Cuisine. “I’ll get the rest of it. You go have breakfast with Cuisine.” Marble protested, “At least let me help.” Pinkie raised a hoof towards her sister. “Nope, I’m the one that forgot to bring in the towels last night. On top of that, you can’t keep Cuisine waiting.” Pinkie ushered Marble and Cuisine out. “Shoo, both of you. Go eat!” Pinkie shut the door, effectively preventing any more debate from Marble. Cuisine smiled, entertained by all the chaos, as her turned to Marble. “As I was going to ask before all the excitement, would you like to come with me to breakfast?” “I would love to.” Trying to make light of her embarrassment, she arched an eyebrow at him and asked; “Now you’ve seen both my mane and coat wet. Which did you like better?” Cuisine froze, knowing he was in a position that no stallion wanted to find himself in. “I’ve been taught to respond to such questions by not answering and making for the hills. However, I have no doubt you would catch me if I tried such a tactic.” “Cuisine, that’s not going to cut it, I want a real answer.” The look on her face told him he had better say something or he was going to find himself on his back with his hooves tied together with his own tail. “That is not a fair question! Your wet mane looks nice and really brings out your eyes. Your wet coat accents your wonderful figure. How could I choose one over the other?” “That was the correct answer.” Before she thought about what she was doing, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. They both blushed. Without another word between them, they made their way down the street. They both mulled over the kiss, wondering what was happening between the two of them. They wrestled with their desires, insecurities, and the impulse to ask the other what they thought about what was going on between them. Their internal pondering did not keep them from enjoying breakfast at the aptly, if not creatively, named Breakfast Nook. After the meal, they lingered in their seats, talking and drinking coffee until it was close to the time for them to make their way to the café. “I hate to do this, but I have to swing by my place and get ready for work.” Cuisine stood, and offered a hoof to Marble. She took his hoof, and with his assistance smoothly got to her hooves. “You look just fine. I like your mane like this. You looked so much more relaxed.” “Thank you, but I have to look my best for work.” They started towards his home, and she screwed up enough courage to ask, “There is something more to your getting dressed for work than just appearance, isn’t there?” She looked at him cautiously, hoping she had not crossed a line. “Your uncle mentioned something about it.” To her relief, he just shrugged. “It’s just my reaction to a bit of a sore spot in my life that I haven’t let go of quite yet. I don’t want to unload my emotional baggage on you. It’s really not that important.” “It has to be somewhat important, if it’s still hurting you.” He glanced at her and met her caring eyes. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’ll be more than happy to listen and help in any way I can.” He nodded, touched by her kindness. “Thanks, I appreciate the offer.” His home turned out to be not too far from the café. As he unlocked the door, he asked, “Would you like to come in? I don’t have much to offer at the moment. I could fix some tea, if you would like.” “You don’t have to fix anything. I’m still good from breakfast.” She followed him in, and looked around the den. It was pleasantly, if sparsely, decorated. What drew her attention was a completely full set of bookshelves. “Make yourself at home. I shouldn’t take too long. You’re welcome to anything in the kitchen, if you change your mind.” Cuisine made his way to the back of the house. Marble looked over the titles of the books on the bookshelf. They ran the gambit from restaurant management and cookbooks to adventure books. He even had a few books pertaining to the history of Equestria. Marble was so focused on looking over the titles, she didn’t notice when the sounds of Cuisine getting ready stopped or hear him approach. She jumped when he queried, “Trying to glean some insight into my mind through my collection?” She laughed and lightly struck him on the shoulder. He barely gave any reaction at all. “We’re really going to have to work on that. You’re a stick in the mud, when you’re like this.” Along with his bow tie, vest, and cuffs, he had put on his professional demeanor. “Aunt Fruit has told me something like that a number of times.” He opened the door and, slightly bowed to her. “Shall we away?” As she walked past him, she pointed out, “If you were more relaxed, the café might get more customers. I know mares would be much keener to come back, if they were greeted by a good looking, friendly stallion who would charm them a little bit.” “My aunt has told me something similar to that as well.” “You may be a hopeless cause,” she teased. He let slip a small smile. “Possibly, but I’m sure you’ll keep trying.” ***** The day was not quite as hectic, just as Cuisine had predicted. There was more than enough to keep Marble, Cuisine, Tongs, and Caramel busy, but their work did not have the almost frantic air that it held the day before. The day ended too soon for Marble’s liking. As they were cleaning up, two ponies walked in through the kitchen’s door, one mare, and one stallion. The mare was about Tong’s age, with a light streak of gray in her strawberry red mane. The stallion was a little younger than Cuisine, and had Tong’s gray mane. Tongs walked over and hugged the mare with his good foreleg. “Hello dear, I missed you.” He kissed her on the cheek, then quickly on the nose. He would have kissed her more, and with more passion, but there were too many eyes on them. “I hope the trip wasn’t too much of a hassle. How did things go?” “Very well, in my opinion, I think we got some solid deals. We’ll even be having shipments of those new crystal berries everypony is raving about coming soon. What we’re going to do with them, you’ll have to figure out.” Cuisine voiced, “I’m sure Uncle will be able to use them to greet effect.” Fruit gave Cuisine an exasperated look. “Nephew, take of the tie, vest, and cuffs. While you’re at it, get the stick out of your-” Tongs quickly interrupted, “Now dear, we have guests.” Tongs gestured towards Caramel and Marble, whose eyes had gone wide at Fruit’s firmly stated orders. Fruit turned to the two new faces and abashedly grinned. “Sorry about that. I’m Fruit Medley, Tongs’ wife. This is our son, Serving Tray.” Tray shook hooves with Caramel. Tray greeted him with a smile and a few courteous words. Tray then turned to Marble. When she extended her hoof to shake his, Tray lifted it up, and kissed it. “It’s been awhile since a lovely mare like you graced the kitchen, would you be as so kind at to give me your name?” Marble blushed. “I’m Marble Pie, Pinkie’s sister.” Marble looked over Tray’s should to where Cuisine was hanging up his vest. Cuisine’s look of irritation at his cousin’s actions gave her a mix of emotions. He’s jealous! Should I be happy or worried? Could he mad at Tray or me? Oh Luna, I hope I’m not causing friction in the family. “Caramel and Marble have been helping in the kitchen. As you can see, I’ve managed to upset that old injury again.” Tongs pointed to his sling wrapped foreleg. Fruit gave Tongs a knowing look. “I was going to ask you about that. Reaching over your head again, weren’t you?” Tongs cautiously admitted, “Yes.” Fruit kindly shook her head. “When will you learn?” Cuisine walked over and stood beside Marble. He was so near to her, she could feel the warmth radiating from his coat. He explained to Fruit, “Marble has been doing the cooking for the last couple of days, and helped us during the lunch rush when uncle injured himself. She’s been a blessing from Celestia herself.” Marble breathed a little easier. Well, at least he doesn’t seem mad. Tray noted Cuisine’s possessive shielding of Marble, and decided to pull his tail a little. “Where did you manage to find such a talented mare on such notice? Have you been hiding her from us? Surely she didn’t just walk in through the door.” Tongs laughed. “Actually, that’s exactly how it happened.” He explained the series of events that led to Marble becoming the de facto chef of the café. “She has done a marvelous job, I have to say. Without her and Caramel, it would have gotten really rough.” “It’s a good thing you were able to find somepony to help.” Tray turned to Tongs, with no small bit of pride, he announced, “I got the job as the maître d’ at Silver Platters.” Tongs hugged him proudly. “When do you start?” Tray was careful as he returned Tongs’ hug. “In five days. I’ve got an apartment lined up already. It kind of stinks, I was hoping to spend a little more time with you and mom before I had to leave. I’ve only got a couple of days before I have to be on the train.” Fruit brushed back Tray’s mane from his face. “You’re only a couple of hours away by train. You can visit whenever you like.” She gave him a wicked grin. “Remember, the longer you don’t come to visit, the longer we will stay when we visit you.” Marble and Caramel both decided it was a good time to try and slip out. They quietly headed to the door. As they made their way out the door, Tongs and Cuisine followed them out. Tong’s shook hooves with Caramel. “Thanks for all the work you’ve done. If you would like, we could use a little help after Tray leaves.” Caramel smiled at the offer, but shook his head. “I would have loved to, but I’ve already got a job lined up at Sweet Drops and Chocolates. Lyra is going out of town to play in a concert, and Bon Bon needs another set of hooves to help with the shop for a few days.” He waved over his shoulder, as he made his way down the street. Tongs waved back. He then turned his eyes to Marble. “I know you’re here for a vacation, but would you consider helping us after Tray leaves? It’s selfish, but I was hoping you would consider staying with us for a little while longer while we adjust to him being gone.” She was ecstatic, what she thought was only going to be a couple of days’ worth of an opportunity had just turned into almost a two-week opportunity. “I would love to keep helping! What would you need me to do?” She all but bounced up and down like Pinkie when she answered. Marble’s enthusiasm tickled Tongs. “Just keep doing what you have been. Fruit is the business mind behind the café, and a great server, but she’s not a cook. Would the couple of days that Tray is here give you enough time to finish your business from the rock farm, or do you need more time?” Marble shook her head quickly. “No, I should have everything tied up by then. I can’t wait to work with you again.” Cuisine offered, “I’ll walk you back.” She gently refused. “You stay and spend time with Fruit and Tray. They’ve been gone, and Tray is going to leave for Canterlot soon. I appreciate the offer, but no.” He mutely nodded, not able to argue with her when she phrased her answer like that. She gave him a cheerful smile. “I’ll see you in a couple of days. Stay out of trouble till then.” She turned and headed back to Sugar Cube Corner. The pair of stallions turned to head back into the kitchen. Cuisine paused as he reached for the door. “Uncle, what is going on? Everything seems to be in flux at the same time right now.” Tongs glanced at this nephew, concerned at the tone of the question. “What do you mean?” “Never mind, I’m just being melodramatic.” Cuisine closed his eyes, and tried to center himself again. “There has been so much happening in the last couple of days. I know he’s been looking for a maître d’ job, but I guess the news of Tray leaving threw me off.” “We’ll be fine. Life is like this, with periods of calm and then chaos. These things tend to work themselves out. Come one, let’s head back inside. We have a lot to discuss and plan.” Cuisine nodded in response, and followed Tongs back into the kitchen.