The next evening, Luna awaited the arrival of her sister with gleeful anticipation. The set-up was the same as other evening meals, with a variety of dishes spread out across the long table. The only difference from normal was a clever substitution – and two additional place settings. Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie would be joining them tonight; Chai Spice was at a midwife’s home, her husband accompanying her. Luna eyed the centerpiece confection again with satisfaction. In the place of her sister’s beloved angel food cake was a dark chocolate monstrosity adorned with brandy soaked cherries and a creamy chocolate frosting. Luna licked her lips. If there had been one earthly thing she had missed on the moon besides her sister, it was chocolate. The sound of hooves on tile announced the entrance of a bouncy pink earth pony, a more sedate unicorn and a regal and dignified…
“What in the name of our mother is that?” Celestia was stopped dead in her tracks, staring at the enormous black forest cake in the center of the table. Her eyes were as wide as saucers.
Luna stifled a giggle as she peered around the confection. “Do you like it, sister? It was a most generous gift from one of my petitioners last night! Have you ever seen such dark beauty grace this table?”
Behind the princess of the sun, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie were doing their best to keep their snickers inaudible. Celestia remained flabbergasted “Buh, buh, but sister,” she stammered, “what hast thou done to my cake?”
Hearing the normally modern-speaking princess lapse into the old Equestrian only used for the Royal Canterlot Voice proved too much for the little ponies, who collapsed with convulsions of loud laughter.
Luna gave her sister a smug grin. “You have chosen our dessert every night since I returned, my dear sister.” Her voice, saccharine sweet, was still audible over the guffaws in the background. “I simply mentioned to a friend how much I missed the taste of well-made chocolate and cherries.” She nodded towards Pinkie before continuing. “She recommended to me the recipe created by a wonderful changeling baker who happened to be among my detainees. After his wife brought him to my attention and I let him be with her, he was kind enough to assist in the creation of this beautiful centerpiece and gave the recipe to our chef.” The smugness never left her face. “We shall be having it in alternating takes with your favorite angel food until I receive a more variety of recipes.”
The smugness was replaced by an innocent glance at her sister, who finally appeared to be recovering. Celestia was reaching out toward the cake with a cake knife and deftly cutting herself a wedge. She put it on a plate and passed it to her sister. Luna took the offered slice and immediately scooped up some with a fork and took a bite. Soooo goooood! The explosion of flavor was making her eyes water as the rich chocolate cake and cherries melted in her mouth.
Celestia still looked mutinous. “Sister, are you certain it is safe to eat? I mean, it is a changeling’s recipe Lulu.”
Luna swallowed, then laughed in her sister’s face. “My dear Tia, this recipe has won awards at baking competitions across Equestria. Pinkie Pie here has made it multiple times with no ill effects. Stop acting like a foal with a plate of steamed broccoli and Brussel sprouts and EAT SOME CAKE!” The last three words, done in the style of the Royal Canterlot Voice, surprised Celestia into action. She cut herself a slice of cake and, staring at her sister as though she were answering the challenge of a thrown gauntlet, took a bite. By the look on her face, Princess Celestia was seeing stars. She did not even notice as Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle took their own slices; even the proud look on Princess Luna’s face was relegated to Celestia’s peripheral vision. The only sound in the room was that of happy eating. All good things must come to an end, though, and as Celestia finished the slice she became aware of the three ponies looking at her.
“Well?” Luna inquired.
Celestia looked guilty. “I never thought I would admit this about chocolate, Lulu, but that was absolutely wonderful!”
Pinkie Pie was bouncing in her seat. “I know, right? Cookie N Cream makes the most splendorific, scrum-diddly-umptous cakes ever! And his cookies are even awesomer! If you like these you should have him send you some of his gingerbread Hearth’s Warmers in the winter. They are the best right out of the oven but even cold they are like so mmmmmmmmmm!” She probably would have said more, but at that moment, an exhausted looking pony was admitted into the room.
He looked like a large pale cream stallion with a rust-colored mane and tail. He had a cutie mark of a stack of cookies on a plate shaped like a heart. “Forgive my intrusion, your majesties,” the stallion gasped as he tried to catch his breath. “I have some news for Princess Luna and Pinkie Pie from Chai Spice.” He paused again as the princess and the pink pony exchanged looks.
“What is it?” Luna asked. The stallion licked his lips and then crowed “Two! Two healthy little pony-lings! Born just a little while ago! Chai Spice sent me to tell you. She wants you two to be godmothers to the little ones!” The stallion broke into a grin, followed by all four mares at the table.
“I thank you, good sir, for letting me know. Please tell Chai Spice that I would be honored to be a god mother.” Luna murmured.
Pinkie Pie left the table and gave the visitor a hug. “Yay! I love little foals! I hope they will be very very happy with you and that you will teach them all your yummy cooking stuff!”
The stallion returned the hug, then turned to take his leave. “Thank you. My wife will be very pleased. Oh, and I am glad you all are enjoying my black forest cake.”
“Wait!” Princess Celestia called out; the stallion paused. “Cookie N Cream? I would like to thank you for this most wonderful confection!”
The stallion bowed. “It was my pleasure, princess. If you should ever find yourself in Trottingham, please visit our shop to enjoy some more.” The stallion departed with more dignity and less haste than he arrived, evidently heading back to his wife and foals. Pinkie Pie was chattering about what kind of party she had to plan, with Twilight working out logistics with quill and ink. Celestia looked at her sister; Luna had tears in her eyes.
“Lulu? Are you okay?”
Luna nodded. “I am simply happy, Tia. This is one of the first times I have been approached by a non-night pony and asked to be a godmother. I believe I will be traveling to Trottingham sometime soon, at least for that party Pinkie is planning over there.”
Celestia patted her sister on the back with a wing before drawing her into a hug. The two alicorn sisters embraced for a moment before turning their attention back to the table. Luna raised the cake knife. “Now let us celebrate with more of this amazing schwartzwalder kirschtorte!” Celestia rolled her eyes. Leave it to Luna to use the Pferdic name for a chocolate cake.