//------------------------------//
// Age - Tomification 
// Story: Marshmallows:  RariLestia Group Prompt Collab 
// by Bakmah Genesis 
//------------------------------//


Age
by
Tomification


“Wowee Rarity! That cake looks super-duper-delish’!” Pinkie yelled excitedly as she packaged up the unicorn’s purchase. “I mean I should know,  I did bake it! And I baked it to be super-duper-delish’ so that’s probably the reason that it’s super-duper-”

“Thank you Pinkie,” Rarity said rather forcefully. As much as she loved her excitable friend, today was an important day. She couldn’t afford to get wrapped up in a marathon talk about Pinkie’s baking habits.

“You’re welcome Rarity, that’ll be 15 bits after the ‘Friend of Pinkie’ discount.”

“Darling, you’ll have this bakery going out of business,” Rarity giggled, earning a quizzical look from her friend, “Everypony’s a friend of Pinkie dear. Now, as much as it’s appreciated, money’s no issue.” Rarity levitated the regular price of 20 bits into Pinkie’s hoof before going to pick up the cake box.

“Oh, before I forget dearie, do you have any candles?” the unicorn asked,

“Sure do,” the baker went to a nearby cupboard and began rooting around inside.

“I’d rather have the ones shaped as numbers if you’ve got any,” Rarity saw Pinkie nod. A few seconds later, she had returned to the counter with the box in her muzzle.

“These for the fillyfriend,” Pinkie teased, getting a light blush from her friend in return.

“I think you know they are,” Rarity chuckled,

“Ok then, how old is the Princess today?” the earth pony queried. Rarity’s eyes snapped open.

“Come again?” the unicorn spluttered.

“The Princess, if you want the number candles they need to show how old she is today, it’s a birthday tradition-”

“No Pinkie, I understand. What I mean is, you don’t know how old the princess is?”

“Nope,” the baker grinned. There was a slightly uncomfortable silence that lasted a few seconds, until Rarity broke it,

“Why, that is our Princess, and more importantly my fillyfriend!” Rarity paused to dramatically gesture with a hoof, “Are you telling me you don’t even know her age?!” Pinkie didn’t reply, but her answer was clear.

“B… But everyone knows how old the princess is!” the unicorn exclaimed, her eyes darting around suspiciously.

“Well, not me, so you’re going to have to tell me.” Nopony spoke, and Rarity was perspiring far too much for her liking. Pinkie looked around uncomfortably before speaking up,

“...Rarity, do you know how old the princess is?”

“Why of course,” Rarity cried desperately. Once again, nopony spoke for a while. Everytime Pinkie would attempt to say something, she would be cut off by some frantic exclamation from Rarity. Eventually, the unbearable situation broke. Rarity’s shoulders slumped and she sighed roughly.

“Pinkie… do you have any punctuation mark candles in that box?”





All the lights in Carousel Boutique were turned off. The only source of illumination was a flickering orange glow from the kitchen. Two ponies were sat at the table, and there was a birthday cake in between them.

“...Happy birthday dear Celestia,” Rarity sang, allowing herself a small pause to peck her fillyfriend’s cheek. “...happy birthday to you!” Celestia smiled, but her eyes didn’t leave the cake. Specifically the candles on top of it, the ones that spelled out ‘2000?’.

“I’m 1968 years old today Rarity,” the princess smirked. For the second time that day, Rarity let out a sigh and her shoulders slumped.
“I’m sorry darling,” Rarity groaned before launching off onto a tirade, “I only realised when I got to the bakery that I never asked how old you are and in fairness nopony knows how old you are I mean I know it’s at least over a thousand but it’s not polite to ask a lady her age plus I was afraid of telling my father I was seeing a pony so much older than myself-” Rarity felt a hoof on her lips.

“As adorable as I find your babbling dearest,” Celestia leaned in to whisper in the seamstress’ ear, “It’s a perfect cake.”

Rarity smiled and melted into the alicorn’s embrace, and from outside, the faint orange glow of the candles could be seen being snuffed out.