//------------------------------// // Third Wheeling // Story: On The Rebound // by AdmiralSassMcAwesome //------------------------------// The Canterlot Doughnut Emporium was the fancy new name of the old Donut Store which had been given an impressive makeover. Doughnuts had suddenly become all the rage and business had never been so good for Donut Joe. Taking full advantage of this, he had opened his own Gourmet School of Doughnuts, in which he took small classes of fifteen ponies through a three week crash course in the essential and sometimes not so essential knowledge, of the art of sugary deep fried treats. When Joe came to open the door of the school for his students who would shortly be arriving, he was surprised to see that one pony was already waiting to enter. Pinkie Pie, taking initiative in curing her love sickness, had wanted to seem extra studious by arriving at six o'clock rather than 7 like all the other students would. "Someone's keen to learn." Joe remarked as Pinkie bounced happily past him. "I sure am! I want to learn everything you know about doughnuts, and maybe some things you don't know." Joe stared at her for a moment from the doorway. He could have sworn he had met this earth pony before. Maybe she was a regular at the store? No, that wasn't it... "Hey! I know you! You're that Donut Joe guy who tried to sabotage the Cakes MMM!" She declared with slight resentment. Oh yes... The hyperactive pony from that incident aboard the train when his masterpiece had been destroyed... "I did not try any such thing!" Joe retorted sharply. Pinkie glared at him for a moment. She didn't quite look as perky as she had the last time he'd seen her, but she was obviously still insane. As quickly as her anger had come, it vanished, and was replaced by a light smile. "Oh that's right! It was my friends who sabotaged the desserts. But hey, we pulled it all together in the end." She came over and gave him a light nudge. Joe sighed. It was going to be a particularly long three weeks. At least she had done a neat job that time she had incorporated the four desserts into one, perhaps she would make a good... No. Joe shook his head. This mare was more trouble than she was worth. He had been waiting for a student to wow him so that he could take on an apprentice who would eventually help him run the store, but he was certain Pinkie, despite her potential for baking talent, would be the worst choice he could make for that position. No, after the three weeks were up, he'd probably be more than happy to close the door on this student. "Anyway," she continued as she walked over to the front bench in the class, "it's always nice to catch up with an old friend." Joe raised an eyebrow. They didn't part on bad terms, but he didn't think that meant they qualified as friends. ******* Pinkie's first day went quite well. It was mainly just boring basics and a lot of health and safety standards. Pinkie had managed to hold her attention particularly well, until towards the end of the day when she fell into musings and drew a bit of attention due to developing a habit of dropping measuring cups and spoons. But Pinkie was feeling proud nonetheless. She had barely dwelt on her heartbreak for the first half of the day, and she was sure that for the evening Flash and Twilight would help keep her distracted. As she approached Twilight's quarters she heard a muffled giggle from the other side of the door, but being blissfully Pinkie Pie, she decided to do a quick knock and enter regardless of the response. As Pinkie came into the room Twilight squeaked a little and pulled her head bashfully away from Flash who looked to have been whispering in her ear. "Hey guys! Did you miss me?" Twilight sighed before responding with a lack of conviction. "Of course we did... Right Flash?" As Twilight looked at her colt friend he adopted an air of seriousness, "Oh, definitely." Pinkie smiled at this and proceeded to bounce about happily recounting her day as Twilight tried to dry her wet ear inconspicuously, much to the merriment of Flash. "Oh and you'll never guess who my teacher is!" Pinkie exclaimed as she finally flopped down onto her bed parallel to Twilights. "Donut Joe?" Flash offered. Pinkie was shocked. "How did... Oh right! I guess there aren't that many super successful donutiers in Canterlot." Twilight smiled fondly as Pinkie Pie began to giggle at herself. She was glad Pinkie was feeling better. The special bond that bound Twilight to her five best friends had revealed to the new Princess a happiness she had not previously experienced. Every time one of her friends achieved something wonderful or were particularly happy it was as though It had happened to Twilight herself. Seeing Pinkie so forlorn the other day had disturbed Twilight. But now that she saw her friend smiling and laughing again, she felt at ease once more. Flash nudged Twilight gently. "Hey, we should start getting ready, our reservation is at six." "Oh, of course!" Pinkie watched curiously as Twilight headed over to her dressing table and manoeuvred a brush through her mane, smoothing it out, while Flash began to preen his feathers. "Where are we going?" Pinkie asked. Twilight and Flash stopped their grooming and gave each other a hurried glance. "Uh..." Twilight began unsurely. She was about to make an explanation when Flash came to her rescue, "I got us a table at Gustave Le Grands new restaurant, the booking is technically only for two but you're welcome to join us. I'm sure they'll make an exception for Princess Twilights best friend." Pinkie beamed. "Really? That's so awesome. Thanks guys. I'd love to come!" Before either Flash or Twilight could respond Pinkie had darted out of the room. Twilight approached her colt friend and gave him a gentle nuzzle. "Thanks for that. Are you sure you won't mind having her tag along?" Flash smiled as he pressed his muzzle to hers. "Absolutely not. Besides, she needs to spend some time out to get her mind off all that Discord stuff." Twilight sighed happily. "You are amazing, Flash Sentry." Flash began to chuckle lightly at this before being stopped by a soft kiss. "As are you, Princess." He murmured against her lips. ************** As could be expected at any restaurant owned by Griffon chef extraordinare, Gustave Le Grand, the food was spectacular. Flash had gotten a beautiful table by the window over looking a perfectly manicured courtyard which was tastefully laced with little lights which spread a warm glow through the trees onto the low hedge mazes and blossoming flower beds. The overall experience of fine dining was something that for quite some time had alluded and tantalised the epicurean in Pinkie. It was therefore her duty as a lover of food to make the most of the experience. This came as somewhat of a horror to Twilight, who after hearing her coltfriend kindly offer to shout the mare’s dinner, was forced to calm herself as Pinkie proceeded to order an extraordinary number of dishes. Flash, who was painfully aware of the limitations of his paycheques, could only sit idly by, attempting to vent his discomfort through nothing but a clenched jaw. “And for Monseiur?” Their nonplussed waiter inquired. Flash grinned unconvincingly and wiped away several beads of sweat which had formed on his brow. “Uh… It’s funny but, I’m not feeling too hungry anymore, a bowl of hayfries will do me just fine.” As he completed his order there was a loud roar from his stomach that caused Flash to turn bright red while the waiter raised a brow. Twilight laughed awkwardly at this and quickly added, “I’ll have the same, I had a big lunch this afternoon anyhow.” As the waiter disappeared Flash heaved a sigh of relief while Twilight turned her head so that she wouldn’t have to look at Pinkie for a while. “I can’t believe you guys only ordered a bowl of hayfries each… I’m starving.” Pinkie announced while Flash and Twilight shot each other an annoyed glance. When neither of them spoke, Pinkie bit her lip and tried to think of what may have upset them. After a moment she added softly, “I’m happy to pay for my own meal.” “Are you kidding? No, I said it was my treat, and it still is.” Flash did his best to look brave faced. “It’s okay, Flash. I wasn’t even meant to really be here tonight…” Twilights ears shot up at this as her and Flash both began to console her noting the perkiness of Pinkie dropping by the second. “Don’t be silly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, it’s not like tonight was supposed to be particularly romantic or any…” Flash was cut off suddenly by a grey coloured mare with a straight black mane who had approached their table carrying a violin. “Good evening.” She said warmly as she looked at the now blushing Twilight and Flash before giving a slightly confused glance at an expectant Pinkie Pie. Quickly composing herself, despite not understanding why a stallion was taking two mares on a romantic date, Octavia began to play a soft love song on her instrument. “Oh wow, this place IS fancy. I don’t think I’ve ever been someplace where you get a complimentary personal musician for the evening.” Flash laughed nervously at this as he dabbed his forehead again. “Uhh, yes. Complimentary…” ********** Once Flash had walked Pinkie and Twilight back to their room at the castle, Pinkie made sure to wave a quick goodbye before giving Twilight a wink and slipping inside the room closing the door gently behind her. Twilight sighed heavily at this. “I’m sorry, Flash. If it’s any consolation, I still had a wonderful time.” Flash smiled softly at this before brushing his forehoof against her cheek. “It’s okay. It wasn’t that bad.” He paused. “Okay, it was kinda pretty bad.” They both laughed at this before their was an uncomfortable silence. Flash idly ran his forehoof against the floor before he finally broke it. “Twilight, I don’t wanna sound like the bad guy, but maybe you and I could go out tomorrow night, you know... Alone?” Twilight cringed at this suggestion. She knew that it was Flash who had offered the option of coming tonight to Pinkie in the first place, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t relieved that he did. Now however, that he was suggesting they leave Pinkie out, she couldn’t help feeling like she should insist otherwise. As much as her and Flash did need time alone, it didn’t feel right to abandon Pinkie when she was still pretty raw over her recent heartache. Seeing her indecision, Flash spoke up again. “I know you feel like you’re betraying your friend, but it’ll only be for tomorrow night. Plus, Celestia’s asked us to see that new opera the day after tomorrow, so of course Pinkie will be tagging along.” Twilight’s ears were down against her head as she looked into her coltfriends deep blue eyes. It didn’t feel right to leave Pinkie, but she also had to think of what was best for her and Flash, and he had been very generous so far. Twilight was even ashamed to admit that Flash had been more generous than Twilight would have been had he not spoken up. Pinkie would understand. “Okay, I’ll tell her in the morning. Just you and me tomorrow.” Flash beamed at this and leaned in to give Twilight a gentle kiss. But Twilight was not so easily dismissed this evening. In the back of her mind she was a little resentful of the time she had given up tonight which should have been spent with her coltfriend. Flash was a little taken aback at first as Twilight grabbed him into a passionate embrace, pushing herself firmly against him. “Twi-light…” He gasped pulling away from her for a moment, “We’re in the middle of the hallway!” Twilight only smirked back. “Just shut up and kiss me.”