.
I had been working on the order the new Pony had given me. Some of the items did come out as strange to me. On the other hoof, the Pony herself did look different from any Pony I had previously seen, including the Horses of Saddle Arabia.
Her dialect was off in all the most odd places, but she managed to explain what she was looking for. It hit me, she had seen Pinkie Pie earlier in the day. The only way to explain the large pile of bits she had in her saddle bags.
Knowing Pinkie Pie, she was bound to make something spectacular out of what she had bought for that many bits. I was curious, but I had work to do. My work is after all more important than the latest exploit of Pinkie Pie's.
Once I had finished her order I could have a break, I guess lunch isn't out of the question. In retrospect, her order had excited me, not just because she had a new order for me, but also what she had asked me to make for her.
I closed the shop before I left the boutique and trotted off to the Sugar-Cube Corner. The streets are not overly crowded, so I got there in reasonable time. Pinkie Pie had returned to the front of the store, as I opened the door.
“Hiya, Rarity!” she squealed in an overly enthusiastic greeting as I entered the shop, chimes merrily going off as I opened the door.
“Hi, Pinkie Pie. I need a dozen Muffins Apple, Vanilla and Cinnamon would go great with my teas!” I responded.
“I think I can dig up the required pastries for you, Rarity. I take it you have a very special customer over earlier today? I recognise the smile!” Pinkie pointed out in a more gleeful voice, beaming a wide grin at me.
“When you put it like that, I did. She sure is special. Just that her name reminded me of you in a different way, if you see what I mean?” I pondered.
“She is such a Honey. With her help, I will be able to wow my customers like never before. Fresh, delicious berries, when they are clearly out of season in all of Equestria. I may have paid more than the common price, but the pastries are going to pay me back both in smiles and bit, several times over!” Pinkie giggled.
“Yes, such a sweetie. Your pastries never go out of season, it is just hard to get the ingredients to bake them on most of the year, I know the feeling only too well. You can never pay for a genuine smile in bits or gems, more then you could buy a true friend!” I pointed out, truthfully.
Yes, she sure is. Just ponder how she managed to end up here, wouldn't you? That is what my customers would say, but I guess you are one of them, so you are free to tell me again? To me the only way to get a friend is to be one. I think you get smiles only if you can be the first to smile. If you are to go by my standards, maybe she is just as normal as any Pony would be?” Pinkie Pie suggested.
“Maybe you could ask Apple Jack, since it is where she came from when she got into town? From what she was wearing, she seems a more practical Pony on the one hoof, but she still cares about her looks enough to wear more stylish garments. Not just the hardy working Pony outfit. She did not sound like any Pony I ever heard or heard off before. I can't quite place her, she certainly doesn't sound anything like Apple Jack, a Manhatanite or any Pony from Canterlot, so she has to be originating from very far away. I would chance from outside Equestria too!” I suggested eagerly.
“With the berries she was carrying, I would agree, she certainly couldn't have gotten them from anywhere in Equestria and not at the season we have right now. Even if my folks were not working on a fruit orchard, I have managed to pick up enough of seasons here and from what I have heard Apple Jack mention from time to time!” she responded.
“I think both you and Apple Jack would be interested in where she came from, with the berries in mind!” I put forth.
“Every farmer would be interested in these berries, just for a different reason from mine. Since I don't grow my berries myself, I just use them in my baking. It is very convenient to have these berries out of season, you know. You may enjoy one of these Strawberry Muffins?” she rambled.
“Wait, you have strawberry Muffins at this time of the year? I guess I just have to have one right now!” I responded.
“Anything for my friends!” she declared as she pulled a Muffin out from under the counter where she had kept it hidden.
“Thanks Pinkie Pie, you certainly is the best friend a mare could have. If you still have them when I need more, I will ask you for a few!” I responded, before I lift the pastry to my mouth and curiously nibble at it and chew thoughtfully as I evaluate and enjoy the flavour of this one special Muffin I never had expected to have, today least of all.
“You're quite welcome. I hope the Muffin agrees with you. If I can get my hooves on more fresh berries by then, I will have enough for you to enjoy!” Pinkie responded.
“You have an eye and a muzzle for what you need in your pastries. This definitely is delicious. Thanks for letting me know you had them available, even when I had not specifically asked for it. You truly do know how to put a smile on the faces of all your friends and fellow Ponies. We certainly are fortunate to have you in our little village. Ponyville could never have been the same without you. I am most greteful for it!” I pronounced as I make a small break from the Muffin, before returning my full attention to the juicy treat, even as I knew Ponies were staring at me, although I guess I wasn't really bothered.
“I need to know everything there is to know about baking and performing entertainment is what I do. I have come to realise Ponyville never could have been what it is without me. It is flattering, I guess, I don't particularly mind it. I am just happy to see you smile, never really considered it any further, I would just take the fun out of what I do!” Pinkie pondered.
“I guess the analysis is for Twilight Sparkle. I am only too happy to leave the baking in your hooves, Pinkie Pie. Then I get more time over for creating my dresses and suits. Which leaves Apple Jack free to handle the farm, rather than making these hideous dresses she tried to do, that one awful day. Celestia knows that was a disastrous day!” I pondered as I enjoyed the last of the Muffin treat.
“I agree wholeheartedly, we leave the analysis to Twilight, I bake while you create the suits. I see the Muffin did agree with you, Rarity!” she concluded.
“Yes, it certainly did. I guess I had better go back to my boutique now, I'll see you soon enough!” I responded as I left her on my way back home.
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