A Delicious Surprise (Black Guardian 2)
Wafts of cinnamon on apple-toast drifted through the house, pushing through every gap into every room, tickling Apple Bloom's nose, waking her with its seductive nature. Starting the day with a healthy breakfast created by her big sister was the favourite way for the little filly to get up, especially after such strange dreams like tonight. Just why would Scootaloo appear out of nowhere to tell her she was an orphan and homeless? It had felt real then, but now it seemed pretty absurd. The dream had ended by her crusading buddy falling asleep right next to her, and surely the bed next to her was empty except for the usual pillows.
Too bad she wouldn’t be able to tell Scootaloo about it. The pegasus’ family situation still was a sensitive issue that was best left unaddressed near her friend.
She would tell Applejack though, but food was first. There was no way escaping it now that she had taken the bait. The fragrance took away her free will, forcing her to leave the bed, moving her legs without her control, steering her to the kitchen without detour.
What the aroma of apples could not do, however, was to prepare her for the scene that awaited her. It was not her big sister tending to the stove, not even Granny Smith or Big McIntosh, but a black stallion she had never seen before. To complete her confusion, Scootaloo sat on the table happily chatting to him.
Maybe, just maybe, the “dream” was a little more real than she had thought a minute ago, but even if so that still did not explain the stranger cooking, and cooking well. She noisily cleared her throat, instantly ending all sounds except for the frizzling of the frying pan continuing unperturbed in its task.
Two pairs of eyes wandered over to Apple Bloom, joined with two wide smiles. Scootaloo beckoned over her friend by waving with her in the orange sun glowing hoof, but it was the stallion who spoke first.
“Good morning dear. Let me introduce myself. My name is Aegis, and I am the leader of the Ponyville sheltered housing scheme. I am here because I am helping Rainbow and Scootaloo. Your sister is out at the moment so I’m making breakfast for you all. As far as I was told, you already know what’s going on?”
Apple Bloom took a step forward to have a look into the pan to see that the toast did not only contain the well toasted bread and crisp apple chips, but also a thin molten layer of peanut butter covering everything. The best part was that there was enough of it for four ponies, surely including her. By the time she was brought back to reality by a black hoof pulling her back, she was right over the toast, inhaling the clouds of sweet aroma like an addict.
“Be careful. They are still very hot. You can have them in a minute if you promise me to share some of them with Scootaloo.” Aegis gave a wink to the filly and moved the pan to the table.
“So, Scootaloo told you what is going on?” he tried again. This time the filly answered in the affirmative voice, still staring at the steaming goods at the table. She was lost in her hunger, no longer a part of this world.
Aegis shook his head with a laugh. He sometimes wondered at the naive and spontaneous ways foals worked, placing food over life-changing events. Sometimes he even envied them to be so free and without trouble, no matter what happened in their lives. His cutie mark told him to help others to walk down the long and stony path of fulfilment as far as possible, shielding them from trouble, showing them how to be happy.
If his cooking helped, who was he to hinder the foals any longer. Everything said or done while keeping them waiting would be waste of effort anyway. He reached for the previously prepared plates and handed over the food without another word and enjoyed the simple pleasure of watching them eat, or gobble to find a better term. He had a bite of it himself, followed by an explosion of flavour dancing over his tongue. He was just too good at this.