Chapter 71: In the Kitchen
For the last two weeks, thirteen days to be precise, Bryce had been hard at work cutting and hacking and chiseling away at the two wood panels that were now tucked under his arm. As he made his way to Rocksalt's house it was a losing battle to stay awake. He had lost a lot of sleep, and even more time with Dinky and Apple Bloom, but if all went well for the rest of the day and the following evening then he would make it up to the girls, and his overclocked brain.
When Bryce reached his destination he could see the dull brown colt fighting his own losing battle.
"Clack, ya gotta stop it now," he argued with Clack Tap. "Ah gotta deliver these papers, and Ah can't do that if ya keep rufflin'em up." Rocksalt snatched the newspaper out of the bright yellow foal's hooves.
"Ahh, come on, BB, I was just going to use the one. I was going to make us some hats, and they're going to be awesome."
Rocksalt held the paper out of reach of the foal. "Nah uh, Ah need all these papers, or else Ah don't get any money."
The foal refused to relent. "Come on, just gimme this one. You've got, like, a million more over there." Upon saying that the realization hit him.
It was just as quick to hit Rocksalt. "Oh no, Clack. Don't even-" Without stopping to hear the rest, Clack Tap made a mad dash for the pile of papers, knocking Rocksalt over in the process. "Clack, don't!" Rocksalt shouted, but it was too late. By then Clack had landed on top of the square stack of newspapers, causing them to slide across the ground like a deck of cards.
Rocksalt could do nothing but watch.
Clack, oblivious to what he had done picked up the paper from under him and held it up, a big smile across his face. "A-ha." He shook a few sheets loose and went to work.
Rocksalt allowed his head to fall forward, releasing a low groan. It wasn't long after he felt something nudge him in the side. "Not now, Clack, you just ruined my route," the dull brown colt mumbled.
"Well, I would say they're more dirty than ruined."
Rocksalt craned his neck back. "Hey, Bryce," he said with in a dismal tone.
"Hey, Kid. Who's the stripling?" Bryce asked, motioning over to the foal.
"That's Clack Tap. He's some kid Ah saved."
"Really, saved from what?"
"Just a couple of guys who thought just cause they were four times his size they could work him over whenever they wanted. Pecan and Ah stopped'em, but now Ah'm startin ta regret gettin in the middle."
"Why, is he bothering you?"
"Pestering me is more like it. Ever since Ah helped'm he won't leave me alone, outside of class and home. And he's even worse when the girls are around. Won't stop goin on about how 'he's so cute' or 'he's so sweet' or 'Clack, are you alright. That's good, now be more careful. Don't cry, it wasn't that bad. Look, if I give you a hug will you stop crying?' And then they spend so much time messing with'm we don't have any time left ta do anything."
"Well, he's young, cute, and new. It can't really be helped."
"Ah know, but still, he annoys me. And now," Rocksalt said, waving off to the foal, "now he's missing up my paper route."
"Well if he's bothering you say something."
"Ah've tried, but Clack doesn't think Ah'm serious. And then he goes off and gets himself hurt, again."
Bryce gave a smirk as he shook his head. "Yeah, I know about that, believe me. I had three nephews, and each one was more daring than the last. The youngest one kept getting in my dogs face for a kiss. I can't tell you how many times Corn has nipped him for that." Bryce paused to let out a yawn. "Kids his age are just that way, and believe me, it's as annoying as you say it is." Bryce looked over to the yellow foal as he made the last few folds in his hat. "I'm sure he's a good kid. He's just four."
"Yeah, Ah know. But he still annoys me."
"I annoy you," Bryce replied back.
"Yeah, but you... Ah just wish he'd stop callin me 'BB'. What's that supposed ta mean?"
By now Clack had finished with his hat. Trying it on for size he turned back to show it off to Rocksalt. "What'cha think, BB? Good enough that you want one?"
Rocksalt shut his eyes and drew in a deep breath. "It looks nice, Clack, but now Bryce and Ah need to get my route done before school."
"Oh, can I come? I can help."
"Do ya even know what we'll be doing?"
"No, but I can help. I can pull out all the comics and put'em on the front. Everypony likes the comics. I know I do, even though I can't read."
"Clack, no. You can't-" Before Rocksalt could get out the words Clack turned around and threw open a fresh newspaper.
Bryce made his way over to the foal in time to stop him from pulling out the funny pages. Almost immediately the foal froze up. "Whoa, BB, what's happening? Am I flying? I'm flying! I didn't know I was a pegasus."
Bryce spun the foal around so he was facing him, silencing his excitement. "Sorry, kiddo. It's just me."
"Oh, you looked a lot bigger from below. No, wait, you still look fat."
"Fat? I'm not that fat, am I, Kid?" Bryce asked Rocksalt.
"You, uh, could lose a few pounds."
"I'm working on it!"
Clack looked down to the ground. "I don't think I've ever been up this high. Hey, BB, I can see your house from here."
Bryce and Rocksalt followed Clack's gaze, spotting the latter's house no more than 10 feet away. "Yeah, you sure can, Clack."
"Can you put me down? I need to help BB with his route."
"Sure, I'll put you down. But Clack, you can't mess with the papers like that," Bryce stated as he lowered the foal back down.
"What do you mean, haven't you seen my hat?"
"I do, but I mean you really can't because they're not yours. And if you mess them up there will be a lot of ponies who get upset. And if that happens Rocksalt could get in trouble, maybe even lose his paper route. And you don't want him to get in trouble, do you?"
"No, but who's gonna show ponies the comics."
"Well, would you want to eat a candy bar if you opened it up and found somebody had taken a bite out of it?"
"What kind of candy bar?"
Bryce facepalmed as he gave a smile. "Kids your age..." He tussled the foal's mane. "Ya don't have a lick of sense in your little heads, and yet you're all so damned funny." He gave Clack a pat on the back. "Kid, I know you think doing that is okay, but it's not."
"Why not?"
"Because ponies have paid for these papers, and if they look all folded up and torn they'll get upset. And if that happens Rocksalt will be the one to get the shaft."
Clack removed his hat and hid it behind his back. "I just wanted to help."
"I know, and you can. We need to get these papers cleaned up and ready to toss. Think you can handle that?"
Clack looked up to Bryce with his bright blue eyes. "Do I need to give up my hat?"
"No, we always have an extra just in case," Bryce said as he took the foal's hat and placed it back on his head. "You can keep this one." Clack gave a smile, relieved he hadn't messed up Rocksalt's route. "Now go on and get this done so Rocksalt can get ready for school on time, okay?"
Clack gave a nod and went to work, handling each paper as if it were made of glass.
Bryce unhooked his satchel from around his neck and put it in leg's length of Clack. When he looked back to Rocksalt he could see the telltale look that he had caught Bryce in a lie. "I'll buy one," Bryce mouthed. While still upset by the foal's presence, and his own near sacking Rocksalt gave a nod.
By the time they were finished Rocksalt had to rush off for home, leaving Bryce to take the bright yellow foal back to the orphanage. Before they got far they heard somepony from behind call, "Hey, you!"
Bryce and Clack turned back. "Hey, Ms. Pretty!" Clack cried back.
The silver mare smiled back at the foal. "Clack, what are you doing this far away from the orphanage?"
"I went to see BB."
"Is that right? Does Ms. Potts know you're out here?"
"Uh...no...”
"Well I guess we better get you back before she does, shouldn't we?" Mina levitated the young foal onto her back. "And what's that you have on your head?"
"It's a hat I made out of BB's newspapers, and this big guy said I could have it, too."
"That's nice of him," Mina said, looking to Bryce. "Did you remember to thank him?"
"No." Mina didn't respond as she looked to Clack. "Oh, thank you, mister."
"It's Bryce, kid. I'm only 23, you don't have to call me mister."
"Okay, thanks Mr. Bryce."
Bryce bit his lip as he again tussled Clack's mane. "This kid."
"I know, right. He's so funny and cute," Mina cooed, rubbing her head into Clack's side. "If he weren't so cute I'd eat him right now." She began to bite at the air around him.
"Don't eat me, Ms. Pretty. Eat Bern and Dolph, they're dumb."
"Oh, I will. If they ever hurt my wittle guy I'll throw them both in a pot of stew and you and all the others can eat for a week. Would you like that?"
"But Pecan says they would taste icky."
"I'm sure they would. Guess we'll have to stick with turnips and cabbage for now." Mina turned to Bryce. "Thanks for looking after him. He sure does like his BB."
"So I've seen. And did something happen in the last two weeks I don't know about?"
"Yeah, I got a job at the orphanage. Ever since my sudden mysterious peak in health I've felt well enough to work."
"But are you sure working with kids is the best job right now? You only just got better."
"I can handle it; I’ve put up with it for two weeks, anyway. But what happened with you? You looked like you haven't slept in those two weeks."
"You're not wrong. I've been busy trying to get these done." Bryce said, holding out his latest creations.
Both Mina and Clack couldn't take their eyes away. "Wow, they look like photographs."
"Well, I copied them off of photographs."
"Is that so? They almost look alive."
"Well, I'm more surprised than you are. When I got up this morning I had to make sure I hadn't dreamt I'd finished them."
"Well you can trust me when I say this isn't a dream," Mina replied. "I would know. But I need to make sure this little rascal gets back before Ms. Potts finds out. And you better get some sleep when you get back. You have to help the twins cook dinner tomorrow night, remember?"
"Yeah, but first I have to... Wait, how do you know about that, Mina?"
"You told me about it," she was quick to reply. "Don't you remember?"
"I..." Bryce thought hard on it, but he couldn't recall if he had or had not told Mina. But then again when Applejack had woken him up in the barn that morning he had thought it had been one week instead of two. "I don't remember."
"Then that's all the more reason for you to get some shut eye. Now get whatever it is you need done for today and go home to bed." She took in a whiff. "And make sure you take a bath, you smell like a dog."
What Mina didn't know that what she smelled on Bryce was a dog. He didn't remember when but at some point Applejack penned up Winona in the barn with him, something to do with her and Corn getting a little too close for comfort. "Yes, Mom."
"Good, now let's get you back, Clack Tap," Mina said to Clack on her back.
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Needlepoint almost thought whoever was now banging on his shop door intended to barge in and empty the place, but then nopony in their right mind would try and rob an arts and crafts store. The two possibilities he could muster were: it was either a lunatic or a drunk, and they had the wrong house; or two: Bryce had finally decided to show his face after almost two weeks without a word. Whatever the case the sunset orange stallion stepped onto the floor, and with the use of his magic drew out the baseball bat he kept hidden under his bed. He decided to play it by ear for now, and see if he had need for the bludgeon.
As he entered the hallway he spotted his daughter sticking her head out of her room. "Ambrosia, go back to bed. I'll handle it."
"No offense, Dad, but you're not exactly in the prime of your life."
"I beg your pardon, young lady? I may be old, but I can still handle myself. Now get back to bed."
What followed was a debate that end with them both going downstairs. Outside Bryce lifted his free hand to knock once more, but the sounds of yelling from inside made him pause. He thought of walking off, but before he could the door was jerked open, showing the two ponies who lived inside.
For a long time they were all speechless. Bryce stood outside with the wood carvings still close at his side. Needlepoint was inside with a baseball bat held in his magic. And Ambrosia, who at some point in the exchange with her father had donned her hard hat held nothing.
Keeping his magical grip on the bat, Needlepoint looked to the planks Bryce held at his side. "One of those had better be for me," he stated.
"One is for you." When the unicorn said nothing in return, Bryce asked, "Can I come in?"
The stallion stepped to the side, allowing Bryce to enter. As he closed the door behind him he released his hold on the bat, propping it against the wall. "Let's see it."
Placing down the longer of the two planks, Bryce presented the work.
When Ambrosia saw it her jaw dropped to the floor, but her father was unmoved. He stared down the etched out surface of the panel, scanning every line, every notch, every curve of the composition for a slip of the wrist or exaggeration in his and Ambrosia's carved out physiques. "Where is the original picture, the picture I gave to you?"
Bryce reached down into his satchel, pulling the picture out in less than a second. Taking both items in his magic, Needlepoint laid them both down at his workbench before opening a nearby cabinet for an oil lamp and some matches. After lighting the lamp he took a closer look at the panel.
To the naked eye they were both the same image: a picture of him and his eldest daughter standing in front of the train station. Every contour was the same, but on a larger scale. The way he hooked his foreleg around Ambrosia, the ascending curves in his horn, and even the tear that formed from the ripped off corner was the same as the picture from which it had been reproduced. But he still wasn't convinced it was perfect. Taking a jeweler's monocle in his eye he looked deeper into the composition.
For several minutes after the sole sound came from the sunset orange stallion as he peered through his monocle, releasing an audible groan of approval. Becoming impatient, Ambrosia tried to get a word in, and received a rough 'shh' in response.
The stallion compared the two images for a half hour before he removed his monocle, tapping it against the table. For a while he stared daggers into the surface of Bryce's panel, wanting more than ever to overplay a misplaced scratch or nick in the wood, but no matter how long he thought on it the lump in his throat refused to leave.
With a heavy sigh he turned to Bryce, not caring to meet his eye. "This makes me sick," he began. "In all my years I have never seen anything that has made me feel this way, and I have seen many things. Most have been mediocre, though a few were done so well one would think the artist had sold their soul to create such a masterwork. But then I would see fewer things still that were so awful that if I had the chance I would rip it from the artist's hooves and file it down into a particle finer than dust."
"Dad," Ambrosia protested, "if you're saying this because you're still upset that Bryce-"
Needlepoint's hoof shot up, silencing the papyrus toned mare. "Ambrosia, I am not finished." He lowered his hoof and continued, "This is something, something which has created feelings I never thought possible. The feeling of having found the one work that changes the way everypony will look at art forever."
Ambrosia rolled her eyes. "Dad, all you had to say was 'I like it'. You didn't have to draw it out."
"Expression, Ambrosia. You must learn to express your feelings into words. To say 'I like it' is simple, but to build up to the pièce de résistance is an art."
"Well, I prefer simple; I don't do subtle," Bryce responded.
Needlepoint brought a hoof to the bridge of his nose. "The young are simpleminded fools." He looked back to Bryce. "I feel I must apologize to you, Bryce. Not only for selling your other works, though I wish you would reconsider your opinion on the matter."
Bryce shook his head
"I thought as much. But that's not all. I must also apologize for doubting you. When you said you would make something to replace Ponet's masterpiece I assumed you were blowing smoke. You carved the work so well I feel somepony would mistake the composition as living. I almost want to doubt it is real. Despite my search I can find no difference in the two, minus the difference in size and the medium. I still cannot believe you managed to copy over the tears in corner. Though may I ask why you left that portion of the frame so pronounced? If it were me I would have cut it down."
"It's for in case you change your mind."
The stallion gave a snort. "Now that I know for certain will not happen. Moving past that, and I feel a fool for saying this, but I must have this."
"I'm sure you do," Bryce said, "but there's something I want from you in exchange. Two things, actually."
Needlepoint gave a smile. "Name your price. I'd give you my daughter in marriage if that's what it took."
"Uh hum?!"
"Calm yourself, Ambrosia. It was only a metaphor."
"Well, I don't have feelings for her, so she's in the clear. No, what I want from you is something only I trust you to do." Bryce presented the second panel he still carried. "I need you to paint this, and I have pictures you can use for reference."
"Why, of course. That shouldn't be a problem."
"And I need it done by tomorrow."
At those words the stallion deadpanned. His eyes fluttered as if he misunderstood Bryce's request. "I'm sorry, but did you say you wanted this painted by tomorrow?"
"No, I said I need it painted by tomorrow."
Needlepoint glared at the wide panel in Bryce's hands. "No, no, no, it cannot be done. If you had given me two days I would jump at the opportunity, but a single day is impossible."
"Well, I lost a day from...a personal affair. It was something I needed to take care of personally."
"Be that as it may, I still cannot abide by your request. If I were to say yes then I would need to work through the night, and I..." The stallion bit down on his lip as he considered the job, and the prize it would give. "I will consider it, but it depends on what you have as a second request."
"Well, remember how I said I would bring you something good enough to replace that?" Bryce asked, pointing to the oil painting of Needlepoint's chromatic rump.
"Yes, and you have done just that."
"Well, I want it."
"I beg your pardon, but you want Ponet's work?" Bryce gave a nod. "May I ask why?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"For one-"
Ambrosia crept forward and whispered in her father's ear, "Dad, can I say something to you?"
"Not now, Ambrosia, this is-"
"Yes, now!" Ambrosia spat back as she half dragged the sunset stallion back into the store. She brought her hard hat between them to dampen their voices. "Dad, you give him what he wants and you do it now."
"Ambrosia, this is not the time. You know Ponet's painting is the highlight of my shop."
"To you, maybe, but to everypony else it's an eyesore."
"To whom?"
"For starters, me! Ever since Bryce showed his ass -- his literal ass I can't look at that thing without picturing it in front of me."
"Don't be a filly about this. Surely it wasn't so traumatizing."
"You want to know what will be traumatizing?!" She spat back. "If when you aren't looking, I take it and I burn it. And not only that, I'll take the ashes and bury them in a hole so deep the heat of Equus's core will burn it even further."
Needlepoint went silent for a moment. "You would never do something so heinous. Not to your own father."
"No, I wouldn't be doing it against you, I'd do it so I don't have to think about that red mark staring me in the face each night. And if you think I'm joking, why don't you turn around and tell Bryce 'no'?"
Drawing in a deep breath, Needlepoint knew what his daughter said was a true as the day was long. He gave a nod. "Despite my reluctance, I will do as you ask. It saves me the trouble of having to decide between it and Bryce's. Let it not be said I chose my own hubris over my daughter, who I love more than art itself."
Ambrosia gave a smile. "Thanks, Dad. I didn't mean it to sound harsh, but I'm glad you care enough to listen." They both came in for a hug before coming back to Bryce.
When they returned Bryce hadn't moved, except now the second panel had returned to its original position under his arm. "So, can you do it or not, because I really do need this done by tomorrow night."
Needlepoint gave a sigh. "It will take a fair amount of the day, and the night, but I will try and meet your request. If you need it done by tomorrow evening I can do so. But if I am to do that, and give you Ponet's painting I will need your carving of the two of us." Bryce gave a nod. "Good, now if would please give me the pictures you mentioned I can begin."
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Bryce walked through Ponyville the following evening, the Nuts' family portrait nestled under his arm in a cloth to protect it from the elements. After taking the better part of yesterday to catch up on his sleep, and taking a through bath he was ready. As his satchel bulged with the ingredients for tonight's dinner, minus the ones Kernal would provide he felt tonight was going to be a good night. Just so long as things went off without a hitch, he was sure he would either make peace with the Nut matriarch, or end up becoming the centerpiece.
When he reached their house he gave the door a knock, a second knock, then paused for a few breaths before giving a third, final knock.
At almost that same moment the door swing inwards, revealing the chestnut stallion. He poked his head out, checking to see if they were alone. "You haven't seen my wife, have you?" Bryce shook his head. Kernal released a sigh as he beckoned Bryce to come in. "Thank Celestia. Now, I've already sent Cocoa ahead; I told her I would wait for the foal sitter. As far as I can tell she is oblivious to the girls' little surprise for their Mum. I already have the nuts you requested measured out and chopped up, per your request, plus a few other ingredients I had already on hoof. Do you have your portion?"
"Yeah, right her," Bryce said, patting his satchel.
"Smashing, now let me show you to the kitchen. The girls are just finishing with Cocoa's latest...experiments."
As they entered the kitchen the two identical almond fillies were putting the last of the dishes into the drainer. When they spotted Bryce the more lively of the pair came running to greet him. Her sister, on the other hand chose to finish with the wor, while at the same time hesitant to come close to the human.
"Where have you been?” Pecan questioned. “We've been waiting for hours."
"Now, now, Pecan, it hasn't been that long," her father corrected. "You still have time to cook before we return home. And may I ask what will be on the menu this evening?"
"Secret's in the sauce, and that's all I'll say," was Bryce's response.
"Bugger. Though with the ingredients I had to provide I can only assume it involves nuts."
"It will, but there are a pair of Nuts who need to do their part."
"And I'm sure they shall," Kernal said, looking over to his daughters. "But whatever it is you have planned I'm sure your mother and I will love it. Now behave yourselves and have fun." Giving his daughters a peck on the head the chestnut stallion left for the schoolhouse.
Bryce placed his satchel on the counter. "Okay, girls, are you ready?" They gave a nod. "Are you hooves washed?" Again they nodded. "Do you have your buttfors?"
"What's a buttfor?" Almond asked.
"It's something you sit on, but right now you're going to move them." He held out the panel out to the twins. "First thing I need you to do is take this to your parents' room and place it somewhere they can see it. And don't look at it, it's a surprise."
The twins did as instructed, Almond making sure her sister did as Bryce had asked of them. When they got back to the kitchen Bryce had the ingredients portion out across the counter. He waved them to pull up a seat. "Now that that's done here's what I have planned. I've picked out something you both can do individually, and a main course we'll all work on together." Bryce paused when Pecan raised a hoof. "Yes, Pecan?"
"What do you mean by invisibully? Is that a bully you can't see?"
"No, individually. It means I have things you can cook by yourselves, but I'll still help you both out; you take care of the preparation, me the cooking and baking." Pecan raised her hoof again. "Pecan, this isn't class. You don't have to raise your hoof."
"But you're teaching us to cook."
"Yeah, I guess... What do you want to ask?"
"Why do we have to prepare the food instead of cooking it?"
"Because the smell of brunt hair is a terrible, terrible smell. Trust me; I know."
"What does that-?" Almond leaned over and whispered in her sister's ear. "Oohhh..." It didn't take long for the almond colored filly to raise her hoof a third time. After seeing Bryce's blank stare she lowered it back down. "How can we help if we don't cook?"
"You both are going to help, but you need to learn how to properly prepare before you throw it in the pan. If you learned how to cook an egg before you learn how best to crack it you would be crunching down on egg shells. But you both are going to be a part of this, don't worry." He could tell what he'd said discouraged the filly, but continued on. "To start, Almond, you're going to be responsible with the green bean almondine." Bryce said, motioning to the ingredients. "You need to wash the green beans, then cut them into slices."
Almond mumbled something into her chest. "Is something wrong?" Bryce asked. The almond filly gave a whine before whispering into her sister's ear.
"She says she doesn't want to handle a sharp knife," Pecan relayed.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that, Almond. We'll be using a butter knife." At hearing that Almond relaxed, but still a bit worrisome. "And Pecan, since you think not getting to cook is so bad, you can work on the cake." Bryce gave a smirk.
Pecan raised herself up on her hooves. "Cake?! I get to make the cake?!"
"Yep, you get to make a butter pecan cake, and after we finish you and your sister can clean the bowl, but not before you both help me with the main dish."
"What's the main dish gonna be, because there can't be anything better than cake."
"Let's see what you say after you give it a taste, but that's for later. Right now, Almond, you can start washing the green beans. Pecan, I'm go to get you started with the cake, far enough to get you started."
As the first filly did as instructed, Bryce started the oven, placing the minced nuts inside to allow them to toast before turning his attention to Pecan. After mixing together melted butter and sugar in a bowl, Bryce brought up an egg. "Okay, Pecan, here comes your part. We need to crack open four of these, and mix it some more with each one. I'm going to do the first one, just to show you how it's done properly." Setting the first egg above the rim of the bowl, he brought it up half an inch and brought it back down, splitting the shell clean. "You see this? Now I have to mix it in with the rest, and then do it again," he said as he demonstrated. He brought out a second, smaller bowl to give Pecan a chance to practice. "Now I want to see you do it. If you break it we have plenty of eggs."
Taking a fresh egg in her hoof, Pecan balanced it along the rim. When she brought it down the bowl flipped on its side while the egg continued until it hit the table and broke apart on impact. Pecan held up her hoof, smearing the egg down her leg. “Bleh!”
Bryce took a ready dish rag and rubbed the filly's hoof. "That's alright, Pecan. At least you managed to break it." After cleaning the area he set up the space for Pecan to give it another go. "This time I want you to hold the bowl while you're doing it, to keep it steady."
Taking a second egg, Pecan did as before and brought the egg down, this time managing to keep the bowl upright, but the egg itself suffered the same fate.
Bryce wiped the area. "You did better, but you shouldn't use your whole leg," he said, grabbing her below the hoof. "When you get it where you want it you keep this part still and move your hoof, and only your hoof. And also ease off when you're doing it; you just want to crack it, not smash it. Now give it one more try."
Taking a breath, Pecan took up another egg. Taking the bowl with her free leg she balanced the egg on the rim. Setting her egg leg down on the counter she flicked her hoof in a smooth motion. When the egg gave out a loud 'crack' Pecan gave a gasp, thinking something had gone wrong. As the egg oozed out of the crack she gave a high pitched squeal. "I did it, I did it!"
"Yep, kid, you did, but I think you might have added a little more than needed."
Pecan looked into the bowl and saw what Bryce meant. "I get an egg shell in it."
"You did, but it's not ruined," Bryce said, taking up a spoon. "It still happens to me from time to time. This is the reason I put it in this smaller bowl," he said as he coaxed the shell out from the clear membrane. "It makes it that much easier...to fish out. There!" He stated, holding the grain sized egg shell for the almond colored filly to see. "It looks small, but when you chomp down on it you'll know. It's not to make you look bad, kid, it's just to show you the right way to do it. Now, you go ahead and mix it with the rest in the big bowl. Do it two more times; I'm going to get your sister started."
Leaving Pecan with the cake batter Bryce went over to Almond, who was waiting patiently for the human. "Okay, Almond, now comes the part where we need to cut'em up. There's no wrong way to cut them up, just so long as they're around two inches. I'll do a few to show you." Almond sat in silence as Bryce cut up the green beans. When he had finished a few he held the knife handle out to Almond. "Now you give it a try."
Almond took the offered knife and picked out a short green bean. She positioned the blade at the half point, and then stopped.
Bryce noticed her hesitation. "That's it, Almond, now all you have to do is press down on it. See, like this." He pressed down on her hoof, cutting the green bean in two and releasing a low whine from the almond filly. "You see, there's nothing to it." Bryce snuck a glance over to Pecan. "You try a few yourself while I help your sister with her part."
Back at Pecan's section of the counter she was mixing in the last of the eggs. After checking her work he said, "You did great, Pecan. As far as I can tell there are no egg shells. Next we need to add some vanilla extract." He shook a small bottle filled with a dark brown liquid. "We need to add two teaspoons of this."
"Only two? Is that gonna be enough?"
"Trust me, this stuff goes a long way. The stuff in this is all the flavor you need from vanilla, plus a little something extra to bring it out that much more."
"So, this stuff is what makes vanilla ice cream taste so good?"
"Well, not exactly. They both come from vanilla beans, but this stuff is nothing like ice cream. Here," he said, unscrewing the cap, "give it a whiff."
Pecan took in a deep inhale of the bottle, and immediately retched back. "Bleh, that smells nothing like vanilla. What's in it?"
"Alcohol," Bryce said, pouring a little into the cap. "It helps to bring out the flavor." He sipped out the little that was in the cap, letting out a cough when he was finished. "But by the time we're finished it'll have all cooked out, leaving behind all the good parts." He measured out two teaspoons of vanilla extract and screwed the cap back onto the small bottle. "Now you mix this in well, then measure out three cups of flour, two teaspoons of baking powder, and make sure it's baking powder, not baking soda, and a cup of milk and mix it all together."
With Pecan busy Bryce went back to Almond. When he reached her he saw she hadn't done nearly as much as he had.
He placed a hand on her withers, causing her to jump. "Almond, are you okay? You're taking a little long to do your share." He paused for a spell to allow the almond filly to respond. When she began to let out a low whine he came in close. "Almond, is there something wrong? If it has to do with cutting them right way I can assure you there's no wrong way. If you cut yours like I did mine it will all be fine."
Before the nervous filly could mutter a word Bryce held up his hand. "Hold on a second, Pecan!" He called over to the almond colored filly, "slow it down on the mixing, you're getting batter everywhere. I know, but the more you keep in the bowl the more cake there'll be, so slow down. And make sure you scrap around the insides, get it all mixed together." He turned back to Almond. "Now, what is it, kid?" He asked in a low voice.
For the next few seconds Almond struggled to form a proper sentence, managing to start one sentence before she trailed off into another. She knew what it was she wanted, almost needed to say to Bryce, but how could anypony explain having seen them do...that?
He pulled his hand away from her withers. "If you want me to take care of this you can go, but I'm sure your mother would like it better if you made it."
Bryce moved to take the knife from her but she pulled it out of his reached. "No, I... I want to do it..." She stammered, taking a green bean from the pile. After cutting it up in to two inches sections she pushed them aside and put an uncut green bean in its place.
Bryce gave a smile, looking on with his light grey eyes. "That was good, kid. Keep doing that and when you finish you and your sister can help make the cake frosting. How's that sound?"
Almond gave a nod, too caught up in her current task to say 'yes'.
"Just like that, you're doing great."
By the time she'd finished Bryce and Pecan had the cake ready and in the oven. While she and Pecan made the frosting, all the while taking a sample here and there Bryce cooked up the green beans.
"So, how's the frosting coming? You both haven't taken too many samples, have you?"
With that said the girls were broken from their sweet trance. Bryce waved for them to come over and they obliged, sneaking one last taste a piece along the way.
"Now that the cake's in the oven we can start on the main course. I'm still going to do the cooking, but I want you two to help me measure out the ingredients. We're going to be making a sauce I've made a hundred times before, with a little extra ingredient to keep with the nut theme. "
As the twins helped Bryce prepare, the white sauce gave off filled the tiny kitchen. Despite how good the butter pecan frosting tasted it was nothing compared to the aroma the pasta sauce emitted, a mild yet lingering cloud of cheese and cream. They hadn't smelled anything so appetizing, and their mother's endless, failed, smoldering attempts made it that much better.
And through it all Almond was feeling less afraid, her fear slowly replaced with anticipation for the looks of joy her mother and father would give them.
With the last of the ingredients inside the pot now was the time to remove the cake layers from the oven. When Bryce opened the door a flash of heat blew into their faces. He plopped them out of the pans and onto waiting sheets of wax paper. "It's going to take some time for them to cool, so in the meantime you can go take your baths. Pecan, since you got yourself messy from making the cake you can go first."
"What do you mean, I'm not... Oh..." She said after seeing the flour and frosting caked into her fur.
"Yes, oh. Now go on and do a good job with it." Almond made to go along with her sister but Bryce stopped her. "Almond, you need to wait for yours."
Almond tried to protest, but she again failed to produce the words. It was up to Pecan to say, "We’ve always taken our baths together."
Bryce looked to Almond. "Well, be that as it may you don't need to bathe in the same water. You'll get what she has on you. In the meantime you can help me set the table for dinner, okay?"
"But, we... We..."
Pecan wrapped a hoof around her sister. "It's alright, Alm, it's just this one time. We can always do it next time."
"But Pecan-" Almond whimpered.
"Just this once, kay?" She gave her sister in a quick hug and ran into the bathroom.
Bryce came in close to the almond filly, taking a knee as he said, "It's going to be fine, Almond. I know you love your sister but you can't do everything with her all the time. There will be other baths, but right now we need to get the table set. That, and I want to talk with you about something."
He waved out the tablecloth, shaking it loose to cover the whole area. "Almond, I get the feeling something's bothering you, and I think I may know the reason why." Almond said nothing as she tugged at the corners on her side of the table. When they finished Bryce went into the kitchen, returning with glasses, plates, flatware and a pair of candle holders. After placing the items on the table he went ahead and asked, "Almond, are you worried you may have seen something you think you shouldn't have seen?"
Almond felt herself curl deeper inside her own shell; her own cozy nut shell where nothing bad could get to her. She wanted to bolt, run and hide inside her room until her parents returned, but with the human standing there she couldn't bring her legs to move. It wasn't that she was afraid of Bryce, just of what he could do, and how different and out of the ordinary it was.
She snuck a peek up to the human, the truth of the matter written across her face, and looking into his grey eyes she could tell he knew it.
Bryce gave a sigh as he began to set the two ends of the table. "Almond, you're not in any trouble, if that's what's bothering you. I can't help what you saw, but I'm glad it was you instead of your sister. If it were her she would have blurted it out by now without knowing it." He looked to Almond, who hadn't moved an inch. "I don't want you to be afraid of me, but if I hadn't done what I did when I did you would have been worse off."
To Almond that was true. Ever since Bryce had flung Pecan off the merry-go-round they had both changed, and it didn't help matters that Pecan had become such a daredevil. Whether Pecan held the same feelings, if Bryce hadn't been there to save her sister Almond would be lost and alone. Pecan may not have died, but she was sure it would have had a lasting impact on them both.
"Why can you do that?" She questioned, not stuttering a word.
Bryce took a pause, a matchbox held in his hand. "Well, you're asking the wrong man, kid. All I can say is I can." He struck a match and lit the candles. He took a step back. "Well, how's it look?"
"It looks nice. I just hope my parents like it."
"Cheer up, I'm sure they will. You're their kid, so of course they'll like it." He looked over to Almond, prompting her to look away. "You're not scared of me now, are you?"
Almond shook her head. "No, it's just...different. When I saw that barrel of Dad's peanuts move I... I could tell it was you.” She let out a whimper.
"Yeah, I'm sure it would look pretty scary. I mean, when I first found out I could do it I was scared myself. I thought I was seeing a poltergeist or something. I'm just lucky I was alone when I did it, would have freaked my Mom out, as old as she was then." It was Bryce's turn to look away from Almond. "But I don't really use it unless I have to. Like with your sister, she needed my help. And then there was this one guy at the construction yard, almost got his butt smashed in, and that's literal. But for the most part I keep it to myself."
"Why though?"
"Well, there are a few personal reasons I do, but for the most part I'm afraid of how others would react; how afraid it would make them."
Almond felt a shiver go down her spine. Until then she thought nopony Bryce's size could feel afraid, but he was afraid. Afraid of making other ponies afraid, afraid like she was now. She gave a whine before asking, "Are you mad at me?"
Bryce shook his head. "No, I'm not mad. You did nothing wrong to me."
"But you said you didn't want to make anypony feel scared.”
"I know, but you're reacting like any kid should react. It's not wrong for you to be frighten by something new that you can't understand. It's a part of growing up, and we all face it differently. Even a couple of Nuts the same Nut." It was enough to force a giggle out of Almond. "You like that one?"
"Yeah, it's like what Daddy says."
"Well, it's good to see you smile for a change." Bryce took a knee and began to rub the filly across her back. "Come on, let me see another one." She gave him a meek smile. “Come on, you can give me something better. Just think of how your parents will feel when they see all the work you both have put into this meal, or think about what it feels like when I do this to ya." He took the chance to run his hand down her side and tickle stomach.
"Hey, quit that! It tickles!!!"
"Yeah, but doesn't it feel better than being a sourpuss all the time?"
"I'll tell if you don't st-! STOP!!!"
"Fine, you win. I won't press my luck." Bryce relented, giving the unicorn filly time to catch her breath. "But see, didn't that feel better than feeling scared all the time?" Almond gave a modest nod, a wide smile held across her face. Bryce tussled her mane. "I knew you would and you look better for it." He helped her to her hooves. "Now we need to finish with dinner."
By the time they had the table set Pecan had returned from her bath. With the cake cooled Bryce brought the girls over. "Now comes for the final part: the frosting. Now I know you both have been skimming out of the bowl, but I'm telling you now that needs to stop. If there's any left you can have that for yourselves." He brought out a platter and put the first layer in place. "Using a knife, you need to spread out the frosting until all the cake is covered. When you finish with this one I'll put on the second, then the third."
When the girls were finished there was a somewhat large patch of frosting left in the bowl. Before Bryce could separate the frosting out Pecan grabbed onto the bowl, but in the process she fell back and her and the bowl of frosting fell to the floor.
Bryce and Almond rushed over to check on her. "Pecan, are you okay?" Bryce asked as he lifted the bowl off her head.
Pecan rubbed at her head, a little stung but otherwise okay. "Yeah, I'm okay, but is the frosting still good?" When neither Bryce nor her sister said anything she became concerned. "What's wrong?"
"Well, Pecan," Bryce said, "you're okay, but the frost- The frosting's on the wrong butter pecan." He covered his mouth with his hand.
Pecan looked to her sister. "Almond, what's wrong?"
In response, the almond filly fell on her belly and hid her face in her hooves. Pecan thought she heard a whine escape from within.
Not knowing what to do Pecan ran into the bathroom and looked into the mirror and understood what Bryce had meant. Somehow the frosting had missed her face, minus a few spots here and there and a majority of the white, pecan encrusted spread had made its way into her chocolate mane.
From out in the hall Bryce and Almond stood looking a few inches around the doorframe. Their faces showed their true concern.
At first Pecan narrowed her eyes at them both, then relaxed her gaze as she gave a deep sigh. "Does this mean I have to get another bath?"
"Well, not unless you want your parents to eat your mane instead of the cake." He bent down to inspect the damage. "It's not bad, but I'll need to help you get it all out. Now come on, let's get you both bathed and your mane washed before your parents get back. Hopefully they won't notice a thing."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If Cocoa didn't know any better she would suspect her husband was hiding something from her, and it was but confirmed when she stepped inside the house.
Her first clue something was amiss came when she noticed how dim the light was inside the house. The second was the strong, repugnant odor that hung in the air. With her already shaken nerved she would never expect her daughters, both of her daughters to come rushing out of nowhere and shout, "Happy Anniversary!!!" In her and Kernal's face.
Cocoa, too caught up in figuring out her other half's scheme gave out a cry. "Girls, what in Celestia's name are you do doing?" She asked, her heart pounding inside of her chest. "What is the meaning of zis?!"
It was Kernal who gave an answer. "Cocoa, calm down, I’m sure they didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I was not scared, I just was not expecting it.”
“I’m sure, but Cocoa, didn’t you hear what they said?”
Between trying to figure out her husband’s scheme and being shouted at she couldn’t remember. “No, what did they say?”
Kernal gave his wife of ten years to the day a look. “Cocoa, can you really say you don’t know why today of all days is important? Don’t you remember what we did on this day, ten years ago?”
Cocoa drew a blank, thinking it must be important for Pecan and Almond to take a few years off her life. "Kernal, I do not know what you are talking about."
"Come, come, ma femme, you must remember what today is? Remember our friends, our family, and the white dress the caterers ruined when they lost their grip on an entire bowl of pink lemonade?"
It finally came to Cocoa, and when it did she felt the butterflies that had been inside her stomach that same day ten years ago flutter around with a vengeance. "Doux Celestia, our wedding! Today was our tenth wedding anniversary and I completely forgot!!!"
"Now, now, darling," Kernal said, resting a hoof behind her neck to hold her in place. "You have nothing to worry your head about, I took care of everything."
"What, you took care...? But how did you...? So zis is why you... You... Stalled! Why you stalled us?"
"You guessed right, and it payed off rather well, if I don't say so myself." He took a whiff of the air. "And if I'm not mistaken dinner should be something extra special."
Unable to get the meal themselves, the twins allowed their father to carry the food over from the kitchen while they brought in the drinks. As the nut stallion served out dinner for them all the mare could do was smile.
She could hardly contain herself with each mouthful, letting out a delightful moan to coincide with each bite. The green beans went well with the pasta, and the buttered almonds added to their taste, but it was the pasta sauce that held her captive. She had never imagine something to be such a fine blend of flavor of cheese and cream, with the subtle hint of spices and walnuts that would cling to her for days.
When they were finished the girls took over the responsibility of clearing the dishes, with their father's assistance. When they returned they came bearing a large cake with a thick white frosting. The knife cut through it smoothly, leaving not a crumb sticking to the blade. When she went in to taste it she was surprised at how even the flavor was despite its size. She knew she should be ashamed of herself, but she had to have another slice. Maybe two slices. Small slices.
By the end the entire family felt they were about to bust. "Well, I can say zis was a pleasant surprise, Kernal," Cocoa said, using a napkin to wipe the crumbs from her around her mouth. "But who made it?"
Pecan raised her hoof. "We did, Mama, me and Almond. I helped to make the cake and Almond helped with the green beans but we both did the frosting."
"You did! Well, it was magnifique. But you said you helped make it. Who did you help?"
"It was-" Pecan began, but was interrupted by Kernal clearing his throat.
"Cocoa, let's not worry about such things tonight. It is a good night. We've had a wonderful dinner, which the girls were major players in making. Does it matter who did the cooking?"
Kernal had hoped it would pacify the white mare, but then she leaned forward, resting her head on her hoof. She gave a calm but pressing smile.
"Really, Cocoa, this is... This is foalish. Weren't we just..." Her stare continued to bore into the stallion. His eyes looked off into space to avoid her stare. "But if you truly feel you must know, it was somepony... Somepony down-"
Before the chestnut stallion could think of a name he heard his wife draw not their daughter's name. "Amandineee."
With that the three members of the Nut family froze. All eyes were now on the almond filly.
Almond looked to her father, who tried to keep a straight face. She looked across the table to her sister, who gave a look halfway between a threat and a plea. Then she looked to their mother, who held the same calm face. "Tell your Mama the chef's name, s'il vous plaît."
Almond could tell she was serious; she never ended a sentence with that phrase unless she was serious. She didn't want anypony to get into trouble. If she said she could get their father in trouble, but if she said nothing they would all be in trouble. And if she told what would happen to Bryce? In the end, while she liked Bryce she didn't want anything bad to happen to her sister, and maybe she would go easy on their Papa. "It... It was...Bryce, Mama."
"Almond," Pecan hissed from across the table.
"I'm sorry," she said, unable to meet her sister's gaze as she looked down to her hooves.
"Pecan," their mother spat while keeping her calm demeanor. "Hush!" The white unicorn then returned her gaze to across the table to her husband, not saying a single word.
Kernal gave a timid smile, one that revealed most of his teeth. When Cocoa didn't relent his smile faded. "Cocoa, I cannot begin to imagine how upset you are, but you must see that Bryce is not a bad pony. Okay, not a pony, but... Uh..."
If it meant anything to Cocoa Buerre she refused to let it show.
"Cocoa, I'm sure what Bryce did that day at the playground was all a big misunderstanding. I don't him on a personal level, but the girls adore him. Surely you must...see..."
Cocoa allowed one of the corners of her mouth to stretch out farther, and with that one gesture Kernal knew he had to admit defeat. His head fell downwards, his ears drooping down with it. "How long will I have to sleep on the couch?" He asked, not wanting to know the answer.
"Vous avez quelque chose sur votre joue."
Kernal lifted his head. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
Instead of answering, Cocoa lifted a cloth napkin with her magic, and licking a corner levitated it over to her husband to clean his cheek. "Zere," she said once finished, "much nicer." Then without another word, Cocoa stood up from the table and walked down the hall into their bedroom. All the while she held a calm smile.
During this whole ordeal Kernal could do nothing but stare at his wife's spot at the table. "Oh dear," he said, repeating it over and over like a mantra. "Oh dear, oh dear."
While their father was recovering, Pecan got Almond's attention. "Almond, what did Mama just say?"
"Uhm, I think-"
"Kernal!" Cocoa called from down the hall, bringing the stallion out of his stupor. "Come in here, s'il vous plaît!"
Kernal's stomach dropped.
"And bring the girls with you, s'il vous plaît!"
As did the twins' stomachs.
They took their time making their way into the master bedroom, and upon entering found the slender mare standing between the bed and the doorway. The stare from before had made a comeback. "So, it was Bryce all along, no?" She asked, closing the door behind the group. "It was Bryce who cooked the green beans?"
Almond gave a nod.
"And it was Bryce who baked the cake?"
Pecan gave a nod.
"And ultimately, it was Bryce who made zat beautiful, beautiful sauce?"
"It was, Mama," Pecan answered.
"We helped him prepare but he did the cooking," Almond added.
"And Kernal, it was you decided to, how you say, go behind my back and invite him into our house? With our daughters? Alone?"
"Yes, I did. But Cocoa you should just see the girls take to him. I knew going against you was wrong, but there was nopony who...could..." He was stopped by the mare's unnerving stare. "I- I'm sorry, I’m truly, truly-"
"So it was Bryce who made dinner, but pray tell who it was zat made zis?" Cocoa stepped to the side, revealing the bed to the rest of the family. But it was what lay on the bed that made their jaws drop.
The twins had forgotten about it, but when they saw the gift Bryce asked them to bring into their parents' room it was even better than helping with dinner.
On the long panel of wood was a scene Kernal and Cocoa could never forget. It was from a picture taken just a few minutes after the caterers had dropped the contents of the punch bowl on her wedding dress. She was so upset she had ran off crying, prompting Kernal to chase after his bawling wife. When he had caught up with her he found Cocoa crying her heart out under an old walnut tree, and as her husband he took it upon himself to comfort her. It had taken some time, but when she was able to smile again she looked like the schoolfilly he had fallen in love with.
And Bryce had captured that moment, the one photograph he had loved of him and Cocoa together, second only to the picture of them and their newborn twin fillies.
Cocoa Buerre was wearing her wedding dress, stained with the pink lemonade, and Kernal Nut in his tuxedo. Her face was scrunched in a tight smile as Kernal leaned in, his hooves wrapped around her. She play pushed him away, thinking she looked horrible in her pink stained dress, but he would have none of it as he planted a kiss on her wet cheek.
Not included in the original photo, and despite the impossibility there were a pair of matching fillies included in the composition, their future twins daughters. Butter Pecan had her hooves wrapped around her future father's neck, her face in a smile to match her mother’s. On the ground below her was a basket overflowing with flower petals. Doing the same with their mother on the other side of the panel was Almondine. Around her neck was a necklace that looped through the centers of a pair of rings.
To finish it all off Bryce had stenciled in two more features. The first was below the scene, etched out in legible cursive: The Nuts' 10th Wedding Anniversary. The second was so subtle Kernal almost missed it, a symbol carved into a root of the walnut tree. It was like a shield, but it was split down the middle.
To say Kernal was impressed by the Bryce’s work would be as big an understatement as saying fire was hot. What Kernal saw was enough to bring a tear to make him forget to breathe.
But it Pecan who summed up what they all felt. "Whoa..."
"Yes, whoa," Kernal agreed.
Cocoa cleared her throat, bringing her family's attention onto her. "Does anypony care to explain?"
"Bryce told us to bring it in here," Pecan answered. "He wouldn't let us see it."
"Is that so? We have Bryce to thank for zis, hmm?"
The group started to look in random directions. "Well, I don't know if we should thank him,” Kernal stated. “I think it’s beautiful, not as beautiful as you, Cocoa, but he did throw Pecan off the merry-go-round. She could have been hurt"
"Oh, I am sure that was an accident," Cocoa responded in return, resulting in eye popping looks from her husband and daughters. "After all, zee incident at zee playground was a big misunderstanding, I am sure. I don't know him on a personal level, but zee girls adore him. He cannot be so bad if zey like him, no?"
"But Mama, you said if you ever saw him again you would stick your horn up his-"
Kernal caught Pecan in time to cover her mouth. "Your mother's right, girls," he said as he brought his hoof up and ran it through Pecan's mane. "I'm sure deep down Bryce is a good stallion, he was just a little too spirited that day." He ended his statement with an ear to ear smile. Almond and Pecan followed suit.
Cocoa gave a smile back. "Yes, I am sure. But there is one zing I want you all to answer, and I want all of you to be honest with me."
The three Nuts' smiles shrank as the matriarch stared daggers at Pecan.
"Has Pecan always had white streaks in her mane?"