An Apple Amidst Crazies

by Kevinltk


Crazy Recipes

Due to her hasty retreat from Golden Oaks Library, Applejack made good time at getting to Carousel Boutique in hopes of enlisting Rarity’s help. Applejack took a moment to catch her breath as well as preparing some choice words. While the fashionista was not an avid fan of farm work, Rarity’s generous nature, along with some prodding, would eventually overcome her rather fussy nature. The bell above the front door rang as Applejack entered the building.

“Rarity? You home?” Applejack called out as she looked around, noticing that the usually packed showroom was devoid of any clothes or fabric.

“Oh hello, Applejack. I’m in the kitchen. I’ll be right out,” came Rarity’s voice from the other room.

Peeking into the kitchen, Applejack saw Sweetie Belle. She was busy stirring what looked like batter in a bowl. Rarity was standing right behind her, closely overseeing the task. What really caught Applejack’s eye was what they were wearing. Both unicorns were equipped with a heavily padded dress that was adorned with small gems and lace. Over their heads, they each wore a helmet with a plastic visor, protecting their faces from who knows what. Applejack was reminded of the police riot gear she sometimes saw in movies except more frou-frou.

Given how the day’s events has been turning out, Applejack had a feeling she was probably going to regret it as she asked, “What are you girls up to?”

“Sweetie Belle, you just keep on stirring that dough nice and slow while I have a quick chat with Applejack. And please don’t touch anything else,” Rarity said as she directed Applejack to walk with her back into the showroom.

“Yea, yea, Rarity,” replied Sweetie Belle. “Geeze, just a few exploding cupcakes, and I’m not allowed to do anything,” she muttered to herself.

Applejack gave an odd look at Sweetie, not sure if she heard that last part right, as she moved out of the kitchen.

“So what can I help you with, Applejack?” Rarity asked when they stepped into the showroom.

“Ah was goin’ to ask if you could help with some applebuckin’, but it seems you’re kind of busy doing… something,” Applejack said, getting a good look at Rarity’s outfit.

“Ah yes, I’m sorry, but Sweetie Belle is staying over for a while, and I promised to do whatever activity she picked with her. As you probably saw, she chose baking,” Rarity explained.

“Okay, but what’s with the getup?” Applejack asked as she pointed a hoof at Rarity’s gear.

Rarity took a quick look back at the kitchen before leaning in towards Applejack to speak in a lowered voice. “I love Sweetie Belle with all my heart, but it’s just that her cooking skills frighten me. I’ve seen her do things I didn’t think were possible with just cooking ingredients. Horrible things!”

Knowing her friend’s flair for the dramatic, Applejack could not help but chuckle at Rarity’s reasoning. “Ah’m sure you’re just exaggerating. Sure, Sweetie Belle might be bad at cooking, but lots of ponies are also terrible at it. How did you convince her to wear the suit anyway?”

“I told her it was the latest in cooking fashion.”

“Ah’m also pretty sure protective gear doesn’t have to be so frou-frou.”

“A lady must always look her best even when facing impending doom,” Rarity stated as she proudly lifted her head.

Sweetie’s shrill shriek suddenly snapped the two ponies out of their conversation. Running into the kitchen, Applejack’s eyes widened in shock when she saw Sweetie Belle backing away from the mixing bowl, which somehow had a roaring fire coming out of it, as well as a spilled carton of milk lying next to it.

“Sweetie Belle! What did you do?!” Rarity shrieked as she grabbed an already prepared fire extinguisher off to the side in her magic, using it to put out the fire.

“I was getting tired with all the stirring, so I thought I would add some more milk to make it easier. All I did was pour a little bit more, honest!” Sweetie Belle replied, pointing towards the milk carton on the ground.

Applejack’s jaw was agape as she pondered the implications of how Sweetie Belle was able to set things on fire with milk.

Rarity briefly turned towards the stunned Applejack, giving her a ‘I told you so’ look, before shifting her attention back to inspect the bowl and address her sister. “Sweetie Belle, you know I told you not to add anything without me. Fortunately, for some odd reason, the batter didn’t burn at all, so I guess we don’t have to start from scratch again.

Turning back to Applejack, Rarity apologized, “Again, I’m deeply sorry, Applejack, but as you can see, Sweetie Belle needs my full attention. Will you be alright with your apple harvest?” A look of concern was on her face.

“Aw shucks, Rarity. Ah’m happy you are spending time with your sister. Don’t worry about me, Ah’ll figure somethin’ out,” Applejack replied after regaining her train of thought after the impromptu pyro show.

“Thank you for understanding, darling.”

“You two have fun now,” Applejack said as she started to make her way out.

“We will, Applejack! Bye!” chirped Sweetie Belle. Grabbing the bowl from the floor in her hooves, she quickly opened the oven and shoved the whole thing inside. With a slam, the oven door was closed, and Sweetie Belle turned the dial all the way to the max.

“Wait, Sweetie Belle! Don’t do that!” Rarity screamed as she rushed to the oven, a horrified look on her face.

Sensing that another disaster was literally cooking, Applejack found herself fleeing yet another of her friend’s home. Pausing a short distance away to look back at the Carousel Boutique, Applejack wondered if Rarity would be fine.

Two shrill screams echoed from within the shop. That doesn’t sound good. Maybe Ah should go back and help out. Applejack tapped her chin with a forehoof as she contemplated about what to do.

Suddenly, a wave of cookie dough crashed through the kitchen window as the screams continued to ring from the building. Hmm… Nah.

Noting that the still flowing dough was dotted with chocolate chips, Applejack walked away, at a rather brisk pace, towards Sugar Cube Corner. Ah’m sure they’ll be fine. That reminds me, Ah could go for a chocolate chip muffin now.