//------------------------------// // 3 Tablespoons of Flour // Story: Heart Burns // by TheMessenger //------------------------------// Chapter 3 Rainbow Dash and Twilight were leaning against the wall, peeking into the castle's kitchen. The clanks of pots and pans rang out from inside, like the uncoordinated percussion backup for the singing dragon's solo. "This is your great idea?" Rainbow hissed as she stared down at the alicorn underneath her. "I don't know about this." Twilight blushed. "I know you're not a fan of musicals, but I promise Spike won't make you sing along. He normally just sings when he doesn't think anypony's watching." "That's not the problem here," Rainbow Dash said quietly. She turned back to the kitchen. "Well, not the biggest problem anyways. You really think Spike can teach me how to bake? I saw the pie he tried to make when he thought he had to be Applejack's lackey for life." The pegasus shook her head in disgust. "I'm not trying to poison Soarin' here." "Seems like somepony's forgotten how much she liked Spike's triple chunk chocolate chip cookies," Twilight countered with a smirk. "Not to mention all of his cupcakes she scarfed down at our last picnic." "Oh." Rainbow rubbed the back of her head and grinned sheepishly. "Heh, right." The smile disappeared as she coughed. "You sure there isn't anypony else?" Her voice lowered as she said, "If word gets out I'm getting schooled by a little baby dragon, emphasis on little and baby, I'm going to be screwed." "What wrong with being taught by someone smaller or younger?" Twilight asked. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders have certainly taught me a lot about friendship." "Yeah, well, that's you," responded Rainbow Dash with a careless shake of her head. "You don't have my kind of reputation." "You mean being rude, brash, and bullheaded?" "You're getting me and Applejack mixed up," Rainbow said coolly. "I'm cool, awesome, and radical, and having to be taught by some little kid is the exact opposite of those things. It's, well, no offense to Spike or anything, lame, you get me?" "No, I don't get you," Twilight said, rolling her eyes. "But you know what else sounds pretty lame? Telling some stallion you can bake when you really can't, then showing up at the bake sale without anything to sell. If you want to learn how to cook in time to impress Soarin', Spike's your best bet right now, unless you want to try Pinkie Pie or Granny Smith again." Rainbow Dash suppressed a shudder as Pinkie's song echoed through one ear and Granny Smith's grating rambling rang through the other. "Fine, but this has to stay between you, me, and Spike. He'd better not go around town bragging." Twilight nodded. "Pinkie Pie Swear?" she asked, raising her hoof to her eye. "And risk Pinkie somehow finding out? No way," Rainbow said. "Just...let's just get this over with." Twilight gave another nod and led the way into the kitchen. Like much of the castle, most of the room was empty, bare save for a few appliances. There was a massive crystal counter in the center that was already cluttered with a variety of cook utensils and ingredients and cookbooks, and to the side was a large oven and stove. A giant sink stood on the other side clear of dirty dishes, and an icebox sat in the corner. Between each appliance, however, there was a vast empty space that could fit several ponies. The emptiness along the walls made the sole oven appear sad and lonely. It was a true castle kitchen, designed for the preparation of feasts for hundreds by dozens of chefs. Princess Twilight Sparkle had no plans for such extravagant events, and she only needed one chef, just as she only needed one scribe, one secretary, and one number one assistant. That mentality might have to change, Twilight figured as she watched Spike scurry from one side of the gallery all the way to the next. She felt her heart skip a beat as the dragon's little legs got tangled by the loosening straps of his apron. Before he could trip and fall, Twilight reached out with her magic and steadied him. "Nice save, Twilight, thanks," Spike said, waving. He quickly wiped his claws on his apron, leaving white prints. "Um, sorry about the mess," he added with a embarrassed chuckle. "Just, you know, getting used to all the room." "That's alright," Twilight assured. "We're all taking a little time adjusting. Hmm, you know, all this space might actually help us right now." "Help us, how?" Spike asked. "Well," the alicorn began, "Rainbow Dash here has something to ask of you." "Hold on, what?" Rainbow exclaimed. She stared at Twilight in panic. "This whole thing was your idea!" "Yes, but you're the one that needs help, not me," Twilight disputed. Rainbow Dash's stare became a glare. "You're really going to make me ask him, huh? You're downright evil." "Evil?" The princess gasped. She leaned forward and scowled. "How am I being evil? You're just being--" "Uh, ask me what?" Twilight and Rainbow turned from each other and toward the third presence in the room. Spike rocked on his heels awkwardly, wringing the pink apron he wore with his claws. "Did I do something?" he asked slowly. Rainbow Dash sighed. "Look, this doesn't leave this room, alright?" she said. Rainbow quickly scanned over the room and rushed over to shut an open window before dropping her voice to a whisper. "Listen, I need your help." "My help?" Spike said, staring in bewilderment. "Shh, not so loud!" The pegasus began to look around as Twilight gently planted her face into her hoof. "Yeah, listen, I've got to learn how to bake a pie before the bake sale this weekend. Don't ask me why," Rainbow cut in before Spike finished opening his mouth. "It's not important--" "I'd disagree," Twilight sang. "It's not important," Rainbow repeated, shooting the dirty look at the alicorn before returning her glare on Spike. "And the fewer ponies that know about this, the better. You think you can do that for me, pal?" "Wait, so let me get this straight. You want me..." Spike jabbed a thumb at himself. "...to teach you..." He pointed at the pegasus in front of him. "How to cook, yes. Stop laughing," Rainbow said, her voice straining under irritation. "Look, can you help me or not?" "Hmm, I don't know." Spike grinned deviously. "What's in it for me?" "Spike..." Twilight warned. "If it's gems you want, I'm out. I'll owe you a favor," Rainbow Dash offered. "You teach me how to bake and keep this whole thing to yourself, and you've got yourself one Rainbow Dash certified IOU. How does that sound?" "Eh..." "Come on, Spike, don't make me beg," Rainbow pleaded. "Seriously, don't. It's not something you want to see." "Spike, Rainbow Dash's a friend," added Twilight. "You're not the kind of dragon whom would let a good friend like her down, are you?" "Well, no, I guess not." Spike kicked at the floor, his bravado evaporating under Twilight's gentle chiding and the implications behind it. He looked up at his guardian. "But Twilight, I don't know. I've never tried teaching anypony before." "I'm sure you'll do fine," Twilight assured, patting the purple dragon's spiky head. "You're a great cook, remember? So," she said, turning to Rainbow Dash. "Do we have a deal?" "I'll try my best," Spike promised, holding a claw forward. Rainbow spat on her hoof and set it into Spike's extended grasp. "Alright, let's do this," she said. "Guess I'm in your hooves, uh, claws, huh?" "Yeah," Spike gingerly said as he released Rainbow Dash's hoof and tried to wipe off her spit that clung to him. "So, um, first lesson, wash your hooves." "I know, why don't we have Rainbow Dash help with dinner tonight?" Twilight suggested. "That way Rainbow'll have some exposure to the whole kitchen scene and how everything works." "What, now?" Spike said, growing panicky. "But I haven't even done anything to prepare, like make flashcards or lectures or--" "And now I'm having second thoughts," murmured Rainbow. "Just have her watch you and practice when you think she's ready," Twilight explained. "My methods of teaching probably wouldn't translate well in the kitchen anyways." She smiled. "You two have fun," the princess said, making her way to the exit. "I can't wait to see what you and Rainbow Dash cook up for dinner." The door shut behind her, leaving Rainbow and Spike alone in silence. Rainbow took the moment to look around and familiarize herself with the kitchen's layout while Spike coughed and followed Rainbow Dash's gaze. "So..." he began stiffly. "So..." Rainbow fumbled. "That's the oven, right?" She gestured with her hoof. "Huh? Oh, yeah." "And it's for baking, right?" "Yeah, and broiling." "Broiling?" Rainbow questioned. "What's that?" "It--" "Does it have anything to do with pie making?" "Well, no, I guess not," Spike answered. "But you can--" "Don't care anymore. What about that?" Rainbow pointed to the stove. "Well, you can use it to boil soup, fry eggs, sauté potatoes..." "What about pies?" Rainbow interrupted. "No." "So all I care about is the oven, right?" Spike carefully caught his head with his palm. "C-can we just start with dinner before we talk about dessert," he asked. "Fine," Rainbow conceded with a huff. "So we start with something small and work our way up to the more complicated stuff, right? What's on the menu tonight?" "Well, I was thinking carrot soup with bread, maybe a salad." "Boring," Rainbow moaned. "Isn't there anything we can start with that uses the oven?" "I guess we could always make a casserole or baked pasta," considered Spike. "I mean, we have enough ingredients, I think." "Baked pasta sounds awesome." Rainbow Dash grinned as she stretched and rolled her shoulders. "So tell me what I have to do," she said, flexing her foreleg confidently. "None of that watching junk, I learn best by doing." "First," Spike started, pushing the posing pegasus toward the sink, "go wash your hooves." "Seriously?" Rainbow said, giving her young instructor an unamused look. "With soap and warm water," the dragon responded, just as emotionless. As if in demonstration, Spike stuck his claws under the running faucet and scrubbed them furiously. With his eyes and his head, he motioned Rainbow to mimic. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she covered her hooves with cold sudsy gel. She winced as the hot water fell upon them, washing away the soap and soaking the fur around her hooves to the edge of discomfort. "There," Rainbow Dash grumbled, shaking loose droplets off. "Now can we--" Rainbow's frown grew even deeper at the sight of the extra apron Spike was holding toward her. "Please tell me you're kidding." Spike bit back a grin. "Nope," he said, hoping to impersonate Big McIntosh's calm collective tone along with his word. "Kitchens are dirty places. I'm just looking out for you." "Yeah right," Rainbow snorted. "If they're so dirty, why waste time washing? This is just payback for making fun of your getup at the dragon migration, isn't it?" "Maybe a little," Spike said, flashing a row of fangs. "But seriously, unless you want to take a three hour bath later..." "Fine, fine." Rainbow Dash tossed the top straps of the apron around her neck unceremoniously. The cloth hung limply and draped over the floor. "Yeah, this isn't working." "That's because you're not wearing it right. You got to tie it around your back." Rainbow's eyes widened as she gawked at the young dragon. Spike responded by simply setting his claws on his hips and tapping his foot impatiently as he waited. The two stood there, quietly staring at each other, the awkward silence punctuated by the soft taps of Spike's foot against the crystal ground. Rainbow Dash was the first to turn away. She flipped herself onto her side and reached for the lacy strings at the lower portions of the apron. Once they were tangled around her hooves, Rainbow turned and tugged the straps up and around her barrel. Her wings folded and kept them in place as she strained and stretched her forelimbs back. Both she and Spike winced when they heard a sharp pop. "What are you doing?" Spike asked, marveling at Rainbow's flexibility. "Trying to tie the stupid thing around my back, what do you think?" the pegasus growled, gritting her teeth as she tried to reach further. "Ngh, you sure this is a right size?" "Yeah." Spike rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Huh, I guess this is a lot harder with hooves," "No, really?" Rainbow Dash managed to hiss. "Why don't you just use your wings?" "What do you think I've been trying to do?" Rainbow all but screamed. She took a deep breath and slowly stood back up, letting the lace fall back to the floor. "Alright, I give up, I'm not pulling a muscle just to wear this frilly thing." "Here," Spike said. He approached and reached forward. "Let me--" His only warning was a sudden high-pitched yelp before he saw Rainbow Dash's hind legs kick out. His thick scales softened the impact but did nothing to prevent his short flight through the kitchen's airspace, nor did it quieten his landing into a pile of pots. "Watch it, dragon boy!" Rainbow shouted, her wings extended and face red. Spike tossed the pot he was wearing like a helmet to the side. "I was just trying to help, sheesh," he said, slowly getting back up. "What's your problem?" "Give a mare a freaking warning next time!" Rainbow forced her wings back against her sides. "Your claws, they--" Her wings flew open with a soft pomf. A few loose feathers drifted to the floor. "J-just, give me a heads-up the next time you decide to get handsy, alright?" "What, I didn't stab you, did I?" Spike swallowed as his features fell from annoyed to fear and concern. "I'm fine, you just hit a soft spot. Just..." Rainbow Dash sighed. "Go ahead, just be careful. No touching the wings, got it?" "Got it," Spike answered. He slowly made his way to the pegasus's side and took hold of one of the apron's straps. Carefully, Spike looped it under the bottom of Rainbow's barrel and over her back. With his free claw, he did the same with the other strap until both strings touched. "Hey, can you sit?" the dragon requested. "You're, uh, kind of tall." Wordlessly, Rainbow rested down on her haunches. She rubbed a hoof against the pink cloth clinging to her chest. "Done yet?" she asked, turning her head. "Almost," answered Spike. Rainbow watched Spike's nimble fingers fastened the apron around her back. She watched as the straps snaked around each other and curled into a complex knot. "And there," Spike announced, releasing the laces. He took a step back and patted his knees. "Wow," he said, giving Rainbow Dash a lopsided smile. "What?" Rainbow said. Spike scratched the back of his head. "Uh, nothing. I, um, didn't think you'd look so good in pink." "Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you, why are all your aprons pink?" "Anyways," Spike said loudly, moving toward the center of the kitchen, "I think it's about time we actually did some cooking." Carefully, he climbed onto the countertop and stared down onto Rainbow Dash. He dramatically closed his eyes and lifted a finger. "Now class, who can tell me the most important thing about baking?" he asked. Spike made a show of looking over the room, as if seeking for a specific student in a lecture hall. His gaze eventually fell upon Rainbow and lingered expectantly. "Is it the ingredients?" Rainbow Dash ventured. "Nope." "The tools." "Good guess, but nope." Rainbow frowned. "It'd better not be love or something cheesy like that." Spike shook his head. "It's the recipe," he said as he slowly lowered himself back to the floor. "As long as you follow the recipe, everything will turn out alright." Spike began to pace. "You want to make ziti and cheese? Follow the recipe. You want to make tomato and emerald pudding? Follow the recipe. You want to make the best pie you've ever tasted?" Spike turned around and halted. He stared at Rainbow Dash with his palms out toward her. "Follow the recipe?" Rainbow said uncertainly. "Follow the recipe," Spike confirmed with a nod. "To the letter, until you get the hang of it anyways." "Really, that's it?" Rainbow Dash laughed. "Hah, I didn't think this would be so easy. Heck, I bet I'll master this whole baking business faster than you can say my full name. You know what, where's the recipe for baked pasta?" the pegasus asked with confidence shining from her eyes and her cocksure grin. "You just sit back and relax, I'll handle dinner all by myself." Rainbow's declaration wiped away Spike's smile. "Eh, I don't think that's a good idea," he said, holding up a large cookbook like a shield. "At the very least, maybe I should read the steps out loud." "Oh come on," Rainbow said, tearing the book away. "Here, I got this. How hard can following a few instructions be anyways?" "Well, if you say so," Spike yielded. "I'm going to the bathroom real fast, you can start with preheating the oven while I'm gone, that's easy enough." "Yeah, sure, sure," Rainbow Dash mumbled absentmindedly, her attention entirely placed on the page of the cookbook with the faded image of a steaming bowl of noodles as Spike rushed out of the room. "Let's see, preheat oven to three hundred fifty degrees...hmm, what if..." * "So, what's for dinner again?" "Baked pasta," Rainbow Dash said, avoiding Twilight's gaze. In the corner of her own eyes, she could see Spike shaking his head and covering his face with his claws. Twilight stared at the blackened lumpy mess on her plate. She could see short wire-like tendrils spring out from the chunk of charcoal. She gave the creation a timid jab with her fork and watched as the entire thing collapse into ash. "Baked pasta," Twilight repeated, turning back to her chefs. "So, what happened?" "Rainbow Dash had some trouble following the recipe," Spike explained. Twilight blinked. "Why am I so surprised?" she asked. "Hey, I just thought it'd cook faster if the oven was hotter," said Rainbow, crossing her forelimbs over the dirty apron covering her chest. "How was I supposed to know that would happen?" "How's the kitchen?" Twilight asked Spike. The dragon shrugged. "A little smokey, but it's still standing," he said. "Sorry, Twilight, I should have been paying attention too. I'll make sure the kitchen's clean in time for tomorrow's lesson." "Wait." Rainbow Dash lifted her head. "Tomorrow's lesson? You're still going to try to teach me?" "Well, sure," Spike said. "I mean, if you still want to learn from me." "Rainbow Dash, you're not about to give up, are you?" Twilight asked. "Of course not," Rainbow exclaimed. "I've got a lot riding on this, I'm not ready to quit just yet. But, it's just, well..." She pointed to the ashtray that had been Twilight's dish. "It's your first time, you can't let that discourage you," Twilight said. "I've definitely seen worse," Spike added. He jumped to Rainbow Dash's side and raised a fist. "I'm sure you'll get the hang of it eventually." "Spike's right," agreed Twilight. "You just need practice." Rainbow began to smile. "You guys..." "And some patience," Spike said. "Seriously." "And diligence. You need to pay attention." "Also better eyes. You kept mixing up teaspoons and tablespoons." "Oh, I'm sure you could use some--" "...suck at cheering up ponies," Rainbow finished, slapping her hoof against her forehead. "Listen, I have to get going, so I'll see you tomorrow. Spike, help me out of this thing," she said, tugging at the borrowed smock. Spike quickly untied the strings and let the cloth fall. "What time?" he asked as Rainbow threw the apron off and flung it aside. "Just keep your schedule open," the pegasus said, crouching down into a stance. Twilight offered a jester's mad grin. "Aren't you going to stay for dinner?" she asked. The plate floated in a misty magenta cloud as Twilight held it up with her magic. If she had flown off any faster, Rainbow Dash might have broken the sound barrier right on takeoff.