> On The Rebound
>  by AdmiralSassMcAwesome
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> It's A Heartache
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Something wasn't right in Ponyville. The sofa clerk was still selling quills, the library continued to stay in business despite the obvious lack of custom and ponies still bought clothes even though they almost never wore them. Sure, these things might not have seemed entirely logical, but here in Ponyville they were the norm and they were not what was wrong.

Mr. Cake had been into the market square early to pick up a crate of eggs and some other baking needs which Sugar Cube Corner had run low on, and it was during his return that he overheard Golden Harvest comment upon something to Roseluck which caught his attention. 

"I try so hard to focus on my work, but its getting really frustrating this party drought we're having. I hope Pinkie has something fantastic planned and I hope it comes soon."

"I know what you mean, I'm pretty sure it's been over two months since Ponyville has had a good shindig!" 

Mr. Cake sighed sadly as he tried to internally recall the last time Pinkie had organised a town gathering. Generally, as the entertaining and events management of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie made sure that there were regular dances, picnics, games nights or whatever else was required for ponies to get some needed socialising and unwinding time done. With Pinkie out of action, the town was quickly losing its generally high morale. Mr. Cake noted more than one heated argument this morning in the market. The irritability of Ponyville was definitely on the rise and there was only one pony who could possibly sort things out, and to the misfortune of Ponyvilles residents, that pony seemed to have problems of her own. 

Mr. Cake entered the bakery through the back doors leaving the cart of supplies momentarily outside. "Mornin' Pinkie!" He called out cheerfully.

Pinkie Pie was standing on the opposite side of the room slowly kneading a pile of dough. Ever wearing her heart on her sleeve, it was no secret that Pinkie was feeling less than chipper. Her hair which usually bounced and curled vivaciously was now hanging loosely around her face in gentle waves which moved limp and listless, very much in tune with the general composure of their owner in recent weeks. 

Mr. Cake's smile drooped as his wife entered the room with a baking tray and gave him a sad half smile and gentle shake of her head.

Both Mr and Mrs Cake had been trying desperately to figure out what had turned their almost neurotically happy tenant and apprentice into the apathetic pony before them. 
Pinkie herself was totally unapproachable on the subject. Any question as to whether everything was going okay received a totally blank face which seemed to find the notion of expressing itself to be entirely foreign.

Pinkie's friends had naturally noticed. Well, nearly all of them anyway. The newly appointed Princess had been called away before Pinkies mood change to business in the Griffin Empire which had recently extended itself into a lengthy stay in the Royal Court of Canterlot. Pinkie had received several letters from Twilight in this time but naturally had never replied anything concerning her current feelings leaving the Princess none the wiser. 

Rainbow Dash had concocted seemingly billions of ideas for new pranks and competitions to engage Pinkie Pies interest, Rarity had spent hundreds of bits at the spa getting Pinkie mineral baths, seaweed wraps, massages and hooficures, she had even offered her an entire new wardrobe which she could design herself. In fact, Pinkies friends had been trying so hard that Applejack had even offered up the first crate from this years cider season. But despite all their efforts they received no better response from Pinkie than a sniff. 

Fluttershy on the other hand would have been more than satisfied with a sniff, on the two occasions that she had tried to approach her friend, she had received scowls and glares the likes of which Fluttershy did not even believe Pinkie capable of. 

In desperation, Mr and Mrs Cake had finally decided that as Ponyville seemed to be unable to solve their boarders problems, perhaps she needed some time away.

Mrs. Cake cleared her throat lightly as she came in beside Pinkie who continued to painstakingly push and pull at the dough in front of her as though she were consumed by a heavy fatigue. "Pinkie dear, Mr. Cake and I have been talking..." Pinkie paused to glance at Mrs. Cake for a moment before returning to her drudgery. "We've been thinking that maybe its time we branched out into doughnuts." Mr. Cake smiled in support as he came to stand behind the pair. 

"Yes! After all, they're all the rage in Canterlot, it's only a matter of time before customers start requesting them here."

Mrs. Cake nodded in agreement before turning again to the forlorn mare beside her. "But, Pinkie, as you know, we don't have any experience in making them and as Mr Cake and I have our hands full with the twins, we don't have much time available to acquire the acumen needed, so we've decided that you will be our expert doughnutier!"

The Cakes smiled broadly as they regarded Pinkie to note any changes in her mood, but Pinkie only continued with her task at hoof. 

"Of course, that means you'll have to go to Canterlot for a couple of weeks..." Mr. Cake added.

This caused Pinkie to stop her work abruptly and to turn to look at her employers. Her eyes welled with tears as she searched their faces. " Y-you're sending me... Away?" Her lip curled downwards as she prepared to launch into tears when Mrs Cake suddenly threw her arms around her. 

"Heavens, no! We could never send you away, Pinkie! You're practically a daughter to us!" As she spoke she moved her hooves in a circular motion around Pinkie's back. "No, no! We only mean that we've booked you in for a doughnut making course. It runs for three weeks at the Canterlot Doughnut Emporium, and then you'll come straight back home!" She nodded vehemently for emphasis. 

Pinkies tears abated at this and she brought one hoof up to brush away a stray tear. "So, you're not getting rid of me?"

Mr Cake smiled warmly as he reached a hoof out for Pinkies shoulder. "How could we? You're the best baker in Equestria!" He paused as his wife raised an eyebrow. "Uh, right after Mrs Cake that is... Besides, a change of scenery never hurt anypony, and it only helps you love and appreciate your home even more."

Pinkie stared for a moment before giving a small smile, "and while I'm there, maybe I can stay with Twilight and keep her company, she's been missing Ponyville terribly!" 

Mr and Mrs Cake beamed. This was more like the Pinkie they knew. "That sounds like a great idea, why don't you write to her now with your good news?"

********

Twilight couldn't believe she had lost track of the time. Since she had received Pinkie's letter she hadn't been able to stop thinking about how wonderful it would be to see her bright and totally random friend. What a break it would be from all the heavy political discussion that Twilight had endured these last few weeks? But this morning, Twilight had been... Side tracked. Yes. That's what had happened. Momentarily Twilight had allowed her focus to be captured by another bright and interesting friend she had made. 

Twilight felt a heavy blush come across her face as her carriage pulled up at the station shaking her from her reminiscences. The train could just been seen on the horizon pulling into view, in moments she would be transported back to the sweet Ponyville she longed for through its bounciest resident.

Steam poured out from under the train as it pulled into the station. Crowds of ponies streamed out from the now open carriages, Twilight making use of her newly gained height to crane her neck above the crowd to see if she could make out her pink friend. 
As the smoke from the front of the train billowed down into her eyes, Twilight vision was impeded but not the extent that she did not catch the block of pink in her peripheral vision as it stepped gingerly off the train. 

"Pinkie!" Twilight shouted galloping over to wrestle the mare into a tight hug. "I'm so happy to see you! I feel like I've been away for years!" 

Pinkie nuzzled gently into her friends neck as she returned her hug, only with less ferocity. Twilight pulled away with a quizzical look at Pinkies lack of enthusiasm. She had the hint of a smile on her face as she gazed back at Twilight, her hair was much fuller and curlier than it had been for some time, but it was still not nearly as wild as it used to be. Additionally, her eyes no longer bespoke the undying optimism of the old Pinkie Pie. 

"Is everything okay, Pinkie?" 

She breathed in deeply and nodded. "Yup. Everything's just fine." Twilight was taken aback once more. Since when were things 'just fine' in Pinkies world?

Whatever it was though, Twilight knew better than to pry when Pinkie wasn't readily giving up information. When she was ready, she'd tell Twilight what was happening. 

******

Twilight had requested another bed be set up in her room for Pinkie as soon as she got word of her stay in Canterlot, and now Twilight was glad she had. Something was troubling Pinkie and Twilight didn't want her to be left alone to brood over whatever it was. As long as they were together, Twilight vowed that she would do her best to cheer up and distract her good friend.

After a light lunch off Twilight's balcony, the fillies decided to take a walk in the gardens. As the two headed down the broad corridor, Twilight became faintly aware of the flapping of wings in the distance behind them. She decided to ignore it as Pinkie was explaining a funny incident between Pumpkin and Pound Cake.

"And then Pumpkin fell right in the..."

"Twilight!" 

The mares stopped to face the newcomer who had approached them. Folding his wings down was an orange pegasus wearing royal guard attire. Pinkie regarded him warily as his eyes were glued to a now blushing Twilight Sparkle who had turned her head nervously. 

"Oh hey, Flash. This is my friend I was telling you about, Pinkie Pie." She turned to Pinkie with a grin, "Pinkie Pie this is Flash Sentry..." She paused as though she may say more but resigned herself to lightly biting her lower lip.

"Nice to finally meet you, Pinkie Pie. Twilight's been so excited about you visiting that you're almost all she's talked about." He smiled charmingly at Pinkie Pie whose eyes moved stealthily between her friend and the new stallion. 

It was no mystery to Pinkie Pie that the two of them were romantically attached, and Pinkie's brain demanded that she be happy for Twilight, but Pinkie was simply unable to hide her dismay all the same. Her hair fell dead straight and her lips curled down as water sprang to her eyes.

Flash ceased smiling and gave Twilight a worried look, but she wasn't paying attention to him she had already moved in and grabbed Pinkie Pie's forehoof. "Flash, it's been quite a while since Pinkie and I have seen each other, do you mind if we maybe just have the afternoon to ourselves? After all, we'll have plenty of time to spend together tonight at Princess Luna's meteor shower, remember?" She look at Flash with pleading eyes which seemed to both apologise and beg.

He didn't need to be told twice. "Sure thing Twilight, I totally understand. I'll see you both tonight then. Have fun." 

As Flash vacated the area, Twilight's hoof began to grow soggy under the flood of tears which exuded Pinkie's eyes.

"I-I-I-I'm s-s-sor-r-r-ry!" 

Without thinking Twilight wrapped her hooves tightly around her friend, Pinkie loudly wiping her nose with her hoof. "There's nothing to be sorry for, Pinkie. But I think you and I are going to have to talk..." Twilight pulled away from Pinkie and looked firmly into her glossy eyes. 

Pinkie nodded. 

"Why don't we take a walk in the gardens? The fresh air will make you feel better." Twilight draped a hoof around her friend as they stood and made their way towards the Royal Gardens, Pinkie sniffing loudly as she prepared herself to confess why she had been feeling so sad. 

*******

"Okay, so what's going on?"

Pinkie and Twilight had been walking for a while now and although Pinkie's hair was still dead straight, her eyes had dried, albeit puffily, and her sniffs were almost none existent. 

"Well..." Pinkie breathed deeply and took a sidelong glance at Twilight. She knew it was unhealthy to keep this all in, but at the same time, she really didn't want to admit what was troubling her. What would Twilight, or anypony else for that matter,think of her?

Twilight watched her expectantly, they had come to a stop and Twilight took a seat on a nearby stone bench, motioning for Pinkie to do likewise. "Pinkie, whatever it is, we're best friends, and when ponies are friends, they don't judge other ponies. I want to help you. I want the old Pinkie Pie back, and if whatever you're keeping hidden away is stopping her return then I don't care what it is, I just want it out." She smiled warmly as Pinkie looked up at her momentarily from her droopy position.

Pinkie sighed. Twilight was right. Other ponies needed her. That was what she lived for, making other ponies happy. And if she continued letting this get to her, then eventually it would start hurting others as well. 

"It's... It's about Fluttershy." She finally managed. 

Twilight had to lean forward to hear her as she was speaking very softly. "Fluttershy?" 

Pinkie nodded with a light sniff. "I don't want to feel this way but I can't help it. I'm... I'm..." She looked at Twilight pleadingly, the next word was horrible to say out loud, it was a nasty secret she'd been keeping inside. No, better to let it go. "Jealous of her." Pinkie breathed in sharply and sat back, it was out now, and it felt as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. 

Twilight waited for her to go on, but the new Pinkie was not nearly as forthcoming with information as the old Pinkie. "What exactly is it that makes you jealous of Fluttershy?"

Pinkie sighed loudly at this and swung around to face the Princess fully. "Don't you get it? Discord moved in with her last month. The two of them are so... Happy." Pinkie bit her lip as tears rose back to her eyes.

Twilights ears perked up and she moved closer to her depressed friend with a sad smile. "You'd like a special somepony too, huh? I guess it didn't help that Flash came up before..."

Pinkie shook her head vehemently. "Are you kidding? I'm totally happy for you, Twilight! You deserve a special somepony more than anypony... Not that I'm saying Fluttershy doesn't deserve a special somepony..." Pinkie groaned.

"Then...?"

"I like Discord! Okay?!" Pinkie glared for a moment at a startled Twilight before sighing again and stooping forward. "Sorry Twilight, I didn't mean to get angry at you. It's just that... Ever since he and Fluttershy got together I've just been feeling useless and unwanted. Which I know is silly but... "She sighed and shook her head once more. "I guess you wouldn't understand..."

Twilight had never dreamed that Pinkie might have had feelings for Discord. She knew that out of all the ponies terrorised by his chaos, Pinkie would be the first to say she had enjoyed it. But somehow, liking cotton candy clouds had never translated into romantic attachment for the Princess. Regardless, she now understood why Pinkie had looked so forlorn, and recalled a time when she had experienced the very same emotions.

Pinkie suddenly felt Twilight's wing wrap around her and pull her closer to the alicorn. "Actually Pinkie, it might surprise you, but I know exactly how you feel." 

Pinkie look at Twilight with a puzzled glance. 

Twilight gave a short sigh herself now as prepared to repeat things she had hoped had been stored away for good. "You remember when I first settled in Ponyville how I would regularly go and help Applejack around the farm?" Pinkie nodded. "Well, I did it because AJ was my friend and I wanted to help her, but I had another reason too. You see... I had a crush on Big Macintosh."

Pinkie's eyes widened at this news. How did Twilight never let on about it to any of her friends? Well, most likely in the same way Pinkie had never let on about her crush.

"I figured because he's such a shy stallion that it would be best for me to approach him, as he would likely never have the nerve to ask me. On top of that, I was pretty sure that even if he hadn't thought about it before, surely he couldn't say no to me." Twilight blushed. "But it turned out I was wrong. When I went to see him he turned me down nicely, but flat all the same. When I asked him why, he told me it was because his heart was set on..." Twilight blinked rapidly as she recalled that he had sworn her to secrecy on that matter. "Uh, somepony else... Anyhow. What's important is that after that, despite the fact that I went through a bit of a rough patch, I picked myself up and carried on."

"But how? I try to be happy, but I just can't stop thinking about him and about... Her." Pinkie lamented.

"I know it's tough, Pinkie. You've just simply got to throw yourself into something! For me, I chose to begin an in depth search into the history of the Zebra's!" Twilight proclaimed proudly. "For you, it could very well be this doughnutiering. You just need to focus all your energies on that, and considering you're the queen of baked goods, it should be right up your alley. The old Pinkie Pie will be back before you know it!"

Pinkie sat up straight and thought it through. "I suppose there's no harm in trying. And I do love baked goods. Particularly when they're deep fried!" 

"That's the spirit. And who knows where this will lead you! The future is full of possibilities, Pinkie. You just gotta dive in there and start looking!"

After her burst of inspirational speaking, Twilight was feeling pretty good, and more importantly, so was Pinkie. A wave began to develop throughout her hair and a small smile spread across her face as she thought about all the delicious varieties of doughnuts she would learn to make. 

Discoveries lay ahead of Pinkie Pie, and maybe soon she'd find a special somepony of her own...

> Third Wheeling
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Canterlot Doughnut Emporium was the fancy new name of the old Donut Store which had been given an impressive makeover. Doughnuts had suddenly become all the rage and business had never been so good for Donut Joe. Taking full advantage of this, he had opened his own Gourmet School of Doughnuts, in which he took small classes of fifteen ponies through a three week crash course in the essential and sometimes not so essential knowledge, of the art of sugary deep fried treats. 

When Joe came to open the door of the school for his students who would shortly be arriving, he was surprised to see that one pony was already waiting to enter. 
Pinkie Pie, taking initiative in curing her love sickness, had wanted to seem extra studious by arriving at six o'clock rather than 7 like all the other students would. 

"Someone's keen to learn." Joe remarked as Pinkie bounced happily past him.

"I sure am! I want to learn everything you know about doughnuts, and maybe some things you don't know." 

Joe stared at her for a moment from the doorway. He could have sworn he had met this earth pony before. Maybe she was a regular at the store? No, that wasn't it... 

"Hey! I know you! You're that Donut Joe guy who tried to sabotage the Cakes MMM!" She declared with slight resentment. 

Oh yes... The hyperactive pony from that incident aboard the train when his masterpiece had been destroyed...

"I did not try any such thing!" Joe retorted sharply.

Pinkie glared at him for a moment. She didn't quite look as perky as she had the last time he'd seen her, but she was obviously still insane. As quickly as her anger had come, it vanished, and was replaced by a light smile. "Oh that's right! It was my friends who sabotaged the desserts. But hey, we pulled it all together in the end." She came over and gave him a light nudge.

Joe sighed. It was going to be a particularly long three weeks. At least she had done a neat job that time she had incorporated the four desserts into one, perhaps she would make a good... No. Joe shook his head. This mare was more trouble than she was worth. He had been waiting for a student to wow him so that he could take on an apprentice who would eventually help him run the store, but he was certain Pinkie, despite her potential for baking talent, would be the worst choice he could make for that position.
No, after the three weeks were up, he'd probably be more than happy to close the door on this student. 

"Anyway," she continued as she walked over to the front bench in the class, "it's always nice to catch up with an old friend."

Joe raised an eyebrow. They didn't part on bad terms, but he didn't think that meant they qualified as friends.

*******

Pinkie's first day went quite well. It was mainly just boring basics and a lot of health and safety standards. Pinkie had managed to hold her attention particularly well, until towards the end of the day when she fell into musings and drew a bit of attention due to developing a habit of dropping measuring cups and spoons. 

But Pinkie was feeling proud nonetheless. She had barely dwelt on her heartbreak for the first half of the day, and she was sure that for the evening Flash and Twilight would help keep her distracted. 

As she approached Twilight's quarters she heard a muffled giggle from the other side of the door, but being blissfully Pinkie Pie, she decided to do a quick knock and enter regardless of the response. 

As Pinkie came into the room Twilight squeaked a little and pulled her head bashfully away from Flash who looked to have been whispering in her ear.

"Hey guys! Did you miss me?"

Twilight sighed before responding with a lack of conviction. "Of course we did... Right Flash?"

As Twilight looked at her colt friend he adopted an air of seriousness, "Oh, definitely."

Pinkie smiled at this and proceeded to bounce about happily recounting her day as Twilight tried to dry her wet ear inconspicuously, much to the merriment of Flash.

"Oh and you'll never guess who my teacher is!" Pinkie exclaimed as she finally flopped down onto her bed parallel to Twilights.

"Donut Joe?" Flash offered.

Pinkie was shocked. "How did... Oh right! I guess there aren't that many super successful donutiers in Canterlot."

Twilight smiled fondly as Pinkie Pie began to giggle at herself. She was glad Pinkie was feeling better. The special bond that bound Twilight to her five best friends had revealed to the new Princess a happiness she had not previously experienced. Every time one of her friends achieved something wonderful or were particularly happy it was as though It had happened to Twilight herself. Seeing Pinkie so forlorn the other day had disturbed Twilight. But now that she saw her friend smiling and laughing again, she felt at ease once more.

Flash nudged Twilight gently. "Hey, we should start getting ready, our reservation is at six."

"Oh, of course!" 

Pinkie watched curiously as Twilight headed over to her dressing table and manoeuvred a brush through her mane, smoothing it out, while Flash began to preen his feathers.

"Where are we going?" Pinkie asked.

Twilight and Flash stopped their grooming and gave each other a hurried glance. "Uh..." Twilight began unsurely.
She was about to make an explanation when Flash came to her rescue, "I got us a table at   Gustave Le Grands new restaurant, the booking is technically only for two but you're welcome to join us. I'm sure they'll make an exception for Princess Twilights best friend."

Pinkie beamed. "Really? That's so awesome. Thanks guys. I'd love to come!" 

Before either Flash or Twilight could respond Pinkie had darted out of the room. Twilight approached her colt friend and gave him a gentle nuzzle. "Thanks for that. Are you sure you won't mind having her tag along?" 

Flash smiled as he pressed his muzzle to hers. "Absolutely not. Besides, she needs to spend some time out to get her mind off all that Discord stuff."

Twilight sighed happily. "You are amazing, Flash Sentry." Flash began to chuckle lightly at this before being stopped by a soft kiss. 

"As are you, Princess." He murmured against her lips.

**************

As could be expected at any restaurant owned by Griffon chef extraordinare, Gustave Le Grand, the food was spectacular. Flash had gotten a beautiful table by the window over looking a perfectly manicured courtyard which was tastefully laced with little lights which spread a warm glow through the trees onto the low hedge mazes and blossoming flower beds. 

The overall experience of fine dining was something that for quite some time had alluded and tantalised the epicurean in Pinkie. It was therefore her duty as a lover of food to make the most of the experience. This came as somewhat of a horror to Twilight, who after hearing her coltfriend kindly offer to shout the mare’s dinner, was forced to calm herself as Pinkie proceeded to order an extraordinary number of dishes.

Flash, who was painfully aware of the limitations of his paycheques, could only sit idly by, attempting to vent his discomfort through nothing but a clenched jaw.

“And for Monseiur?” Their nonplussed waiter inquired.

Flash grinned unconvincingly and wiped away several beads of sweat which had formed on his brow. “Uh… It’s funny but, I’m not feeling too hungry anymore, a bowl of hayfries will do me just fine.” As he completed his order there was a loud roar from his stomach that caused Flash to turn bright red while the waiter raised a brow.

Twilight laughed awkwardly at this and quickly added, “I’ll have the same, I had a big lunch this afternoon anyhow.”
As the waiter disappeared Flash heaved a sigh of relief while Twilight turned her head so that she wouldn’t have to look at Pinkie for a while.

“I can’t believe you guys only ordered a bowl of hayfries each… I’m starving.” Pinkie announced while Flash and Twilight shot each other an annoyed glance.

When neither of them spoke, Pinkie bit her lip and tried to think of what may have upset them. After a moment she added softly, “I’m happy to pay for my own meal.”

“Are you kidding? No, I said it was my treat, and it still is.” Flash did his best to look brave faced.

“It’s okay, Flash. I wasn’t even meant to really be here tonight…” 

Twilights ears shot up at this as her and Flash both began to console her noting the perkiness of Pinkie dropping by the second. 

“Don’t be silly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, it’s not like tonight was supposed to be particularly romantic or any…” Flash was cut off suddenly by a grey coloured mare with a straight black mane who had approached their table carrying a violin. 

“Good evening.” She said warmly as she looked at the now blushing Twilight and Flash before giving a slightly confused glance at an expectant Pinkie Pie. 

Quickly composing herself, despite not understanding why a stallion was taking two mares on a romantic date, Octavia began to play a soft love song on her instrument. 

“Oh wow, this place IS fancy. I don’t think I’ve ever been someplace where you get a complimentary personal musician for the evening.” 

Flash laughed nervously at this as he dabbed his forehead again. “Uhh, yes. Complimentary…”

**********

Once Flash had walked Pinkie and Twilight back to their room at the castle, Pinkie made sure to wave a quick goodbye before giving Twilight a wink and slipping inside the room closing the door gently behind her. 

Twilight sighed heavily at this. “I’m sorry, Flash. If it’s any consolation, I still had a wonderful time.”

Flash smiled softly at this before brushing his forehoof against her cheek. “It’s okay. It wasn’t that bad.” He paused. “Okay, it was kinda pretty bad.” They both laughed at this before their was an uncomfortable silence. Flash idly ran his forehoof against the floor before he finally broke it. 

“Twilight, I don’t wanna sound like the bad guy, but maybe you and I could go out tomorrow night, you know... Alone?” 

Twilight cringed at this suggestion. She knew that it was Flash who had offered the option of coming tonight to Pinkie in the first place, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t relieved that he did. Now however, that he was suggesting they leave Pinkie out, she couldn’t help feeling like she should insist otherwise. As much as her and Flash did need time alone, it didn’t feel right to abandon Pinkie when she was still pretty raw over her recent heartache.

Seeing her indecision, Flash spoke up again. “I know you feel like you’re betraying your friend, but it’ll only be for tomorrow night. Plus, Celestia’s asked us to see that new opera the day after tomorrow, so of course Pinkie will be tagging along.”

Twilight’s ears were down against her head as she looked into her coltfriends deep blue eyes. It didn’t feel right to leave Pinkie, but she also had to think of what was best for her and Flash, and he had been very generous so far. Twilight was even ashamed to admit that Flash had been more generous than Twilight would have been had he not spoken up. Pinkie would understand. 

“Okay, I’ll tell her in the morning. Just you and me tomorrow.” 

Flash beamed at this and leaned in to give Twilight a gentle kiss. But Twilight was not so easily dismissed this evening. In the back of her mind she was a little resentful of the time she had given up tonight which should have been spent with her coltfriend.

Flash was a little taken aback at first as Twilight grabbed him into a passionate embrace, pushing herself firmly against him. “Twi-light…” He gasped pulling away from her for a moment, “We’re in the middle of the hallway!”

Twilight only smirked back. “Just shut up and kiss me.” 

> Cold Jam
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Today we will be perfecting a timeless classic; the jam doughnut.” 

Day two and Donut Joe's students would be attempting their first doughnut before working through each skill individually to perfect their art and attempt more difficult recipes.

Joe was proud as punch as he watched his class begin their task. This group was relatively talented and three of them were already involved in the industry.

One of the most difficult things in making the humble jam doughnut was getting the jam itself right. No student of Joe’s would be using pre-made jams. Neither would they be using any spells (should they be unicorns). No. His students would make by hoof, from scratch, a jam with a fruit of their choice. Several of the students, being unimaginative had decided to use the base recipe given them and merely make a run of the mill strawberry jam, but others were already displaying a creative flair lashing out with unheard of combinations and in some cases, savoury style jam doughnuts.

Joe wasn’t about to curb any creativity on this task, this was his opportunity to see what level each of them was working at and therefore how best to approach their teaching. An hour into the process, they were ready for their first taste test. Although the jam was far from being ready, Joe would be able to see well enough already which doughnuts would be a success.

“Spoons out!” He called out as he began his rounds.

Walking at a firm pace with his head held high, Joe levitated a glob of each jam into his mouth giving it a good swish around his tongue before pronouncing a judgment.

“Too lumpy, Dizzy.”

“Comet, try adding some more sugar.”

“Hmm, nice job, Flitter.”

“Cherry, a little too much sugar…”

“Now, Pinkie…” Joe pulled a face as a blue coloured glob touched his tongue. “What’s going on here?”

Pinkie, who had been looking a little mopey this morning, turned her head away with a slight sniff. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, it just doesn’t seem to be cooking…” 

Joe felt a little tug at his heart as he regarded this miserable mare. As a chef, he wasn’t meant to be so sparing on his students, and he generally tried very hard to come across as mean. But deep down, Joe had always been a push over. “Well, just let me finish up the tastings and I’ll see if I can sort it out.” He said softly before continuing his round.

“Mmm, I’m looking forward to your finished product! Excellent work.” Pinkie heard Joe praise Goldengrape who worked at the bench beside her.

She looked down into her blueberry mess, which sat cold in its pot. Granules of sugar floating all over the surface of the liquid and clinging to the sides of the semi mashed berries which grouped together in lumps. Due to the light overhead she could make out a dim reflection of herself in her failure. Her lips curled downwards and her eyes wide and gleaming with threatening tears. 

In her mind she could still hear Twilight’s words from this morning. 

It’s not that we don’t like having you around, but Flash and I need to spend some time on our own every now and then…

Pinkie sniffed back her tears, not wanting to fall apart in front of her co-students. But she had tried so hard to not get in the way last night. And what was she supposed to do if she couldn’t hang out with Flash and Twilight? She didn’t really know anypony else in Canterlot. 

She lifted her head and looked at the ponies around her, all busily beginning their dough after having made the needed adjustments to their respective jams. She could maybe ask one of them if they wanted to do something? 

She shook her head. No. She would just get in their way. First Discord had rejected her and now Twilight? Pinkie was beginning to think she might never have another friend, let alone special somepony…

“Alright, Pinkie. Let’s see what the problem is.” 

Pinkie turned to see Donut Joe approaching with a warm smile. Stepping out of the way to make room for him before the stove, Pinkie gave another involuntary sniff. Hearing this, Joe paused to give her a concerned look before turning back to her uncannily cold jam. 

“There must be something wrong with the stove is all…” He murmured opening the cupboard below it and checking the connections. After a moment he pulled his head back up. “Strange, it looks fine to me.” He then turned his attention to the top of the burner.

Pinkie wiped idly at her nose as she watched the baker checking everything over. “What is it?” She asked as she noticed him suddenly stand very still, the muscles in his legs tensing ever so slightly.

Joe took a deep breath. “Pinkie…” He said, trying to sound calm. He may have been a pushover but that didn’t mean he was lacking in temper.

“Yes, chef?” 

He opened his eyes, which he hadn’t realised he had closed, and gave his neck a slight crack to relieve the growing tension in it. “Next time, it might help if you turn on the stove.” He bit his tongue after the words escaped. He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh. He hoped that he had softened it enough to not upset her any more.

When he finally looked at Pinkie he saw a single tear roll down her cheek before she pushed past him to return to her station. 

Joe mentally kicked himself. 

*****************

After class, Pinkie was very slow to pack up her things and was therefore the last to leave. Knowing that Twilight and Flash Sentry would be heading out shortly, she decided the pass some time in the store section of the Canterlot Doughnut Emporium before returning to the castle so as to avoid her ‘friends’.

Entering the shop, Pinkie made her way to the front counter and took a seat. As it was late in the afternoon and not far off dinner, the store was relatively empty save two tables of mares finishing a day of shopping with a coffee and a doughnut and an elderly stallion sipping a milkshake a few seats away from Pinkie at the counter.

As the elderly pony reached the end of his glass, his straw gave forth a loud spluttering as it began to take in more air than shake, drawing Pinkie Pie’s attention. Her brow creased as she noticed the brown foam clinging to the sides of the glass, reminding onlookers of its previous chocolaty contents. 

Discord loves chocolate milk. Pinkie thought sadly. Her mind returning to the first time he had rained its deliciousness all over Ponyville. If they had gone out together, Pinkie would have had an endless supply of chocolate milk and any other treat her heart desired. 

But not now…

She sighed again as she placed her head upon one hoof which was supported by the counter below her and fell into dismal musing.

“Pinkie? Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it’s you, what are you doing in Canterlot?”

Pinkie looked up to see a familiar face across the counter. Bon Bon had gone through a rough breakup a couple months back with her long time partner Lyra Heartstrings, and as a result had headed off to Canterlot to start afresh.

“Bon Bon, I didn’t know you were working here. I’m doing a doughnut course for Sugarcube Corner.” Pinkie tried to smile, but did so unconvincingly which Bon Bon did not fail to notice, but seemed to push aside for the moment.

“Of course! It’s so good to see you.” She smiled warmly, obviously excited to see a familiar face. “Well, once I moved here it was harder to find work than I expected, but Joe was kind enough to take me on in the store.” Bon Bon continued to regard Pinkie in a chipper manner, but eventually her smile faded as Pinkie’s melancholy became painfully apparent. “Are you okay, Pinkie?”

Pinkie nodded slowly. “I’m alright, I’m just a little…” She paused and looked up at Bon Bon who smiled sympathetically. Hadn’t she just gone through a break up, she’d understand how Pinkie felt. Pinkie was about to explain herself when Bon Bon interrupted.

“Heartbroken?” 

Pinkie gaped. “How did you know?” 

Bon Bon laughed a little. “Pinks, I was just like you are now when I got here.” She sighed sadly as she remembered. “That whole business with Lyra was really messy and it left me feeling useless and unwanted.”

“You look okay now.” Pinkie commented.

Bon Bon laughed again, more happily this time. “Sure, I’m great now.”

Pinkie’s brow furrowed in question which Bon Bon noted. She rested her forehoof over Pinkie’s and gave her another bright smile. “You want to know the secret to getting over a broken heart?” 

Pinkie was sure she would say something corny, but she nodded anyhow. Twilight’s solve hadn’t really worked out. 

“The best way to get over falling out of love is to fall back in.” Bon Bon grinned proudly as though she’d expounded something terribly deep. “It’s like having an itch. Sure, you can let it go and have it annoy you, or you can give it a good scratching and be done with it.”

Pinkie thought about what she had been told. Having an itch was probably not the best analogy. Afterall, once you started scratching you usually kept going till it drove you nuts. But at the same time, what she was saying made a lot of sense.

Pinkie glanced back over at the empty milkshake glass which had now been abandoned by its drinker. 

“Oh, I gotta go Pinkie, stop in again some time, hey?” Bon Bon said as she quickly trotted over to the door of the store where a yellow coated mare with a curly blue mane had just entered. As Bon Bon approached the mare, they gave each other a soft nuzzle before heading out.

Pinkie gazed absent-mindedly back at the empty glass, her mind working over this new revelation. Who would have thought her problem could also be her cure?

“You like chocolate milkshakes, huh?”

Pinkie shook her head as she was once again pulled out of her musings. Donut Joe had entered the service side of the counter and levitated the glass towards himself before letting it slide into the sink. 

“No.” Pinkie replied curtly, still feeling a little sore over the incident with the stove and even sorer over the thought of consuming Discord’s favourite beverage.

Joe sighed and scratched his head through his mane. “I’m sorry about this morning. I didn’t mean to sound snappy. I’ve always had a bit of a problem with my temper…” 

Pinkie regarded him sternly for a while longer before letting her gaze soften. “That’s okay. It was a pretty dumb thing to have done…”

Joe felt relieved as she turned her attention onto the table and ran her hoof in a circle upon the smooth laminate surface. 

After a short silence, Joe spoke up. “Can I get you anything?”

Pinkie didn’t look at him or even speak, instead she simply shook her head in a negative.

“Are you sure? Students eat free, you know?” Joe said with a laugh.

“Really?” Pinkie asked in disbelief.

Joe coughed. “Ah, no. But, I kind of owe you, so…” 

When Pinkie failed to respond, Joe added unwittingly, “I really can’t interest you in even just a chocolate milkshake?”

Her response came in an unexpectedly loud and angry tone that left Joe slightly dazed. “I said no!”

There was an awkward silence which followed and gathered the attention of the few ponies left in the store, one table vacating the area rather skittishly.

Joe was likewise tempted to turn on his heel and leave the mare alone. But something made him stop. He silently cursed himself for being such a pushover as he came around and took the seat next to Pinkie.

She didn’t move or look at him. He therefore began to idly tap his hoof upon the counter as he tried to think of how to initiate a conversation.
“I was really impressed by what you did at that competition. You saved all our hides that time.” Pinkie took a moment to turn and look at him, and when she did she found a genuine smile on his face.

Unperturbed by his flattery, she went back to looking off into the distance. Joe licked his lower lip in thought as to how to continue.

“I was kind of excited by the thought of having someone so talented in the kitchen. Most of my students are just stay at home cooks. They just don’t get our world, you know?” 

Nothing.

Joe sighed again. “Pinkie, I could be off the mark, I’m certainly no expert in reading mares but… Something’s up with you. That incident with the stove today said it all. Your heads somewhere else.” He had expected her to scold him, but her lack of response made him think maybe he should go on. “Do you wanna talk about it?” He asked softly.   

Another silence followed, but this time Joe determined not to break it. Pinkie just needed to be given enough time to work up the courage to speak.

Pinkie herself was by now just more than mildly confused. Up to the point when Joe cam and sat by her side, she’d still been half dazed and lost and in thought. But now, Joe was… Comforting her? She didn’t quite understand why. Slowly she let her gaze drift to his face which was focusing a soft look of concern on her. 

He wanted to know what was wrong? Could she tell him? 

Pinkie had never held back much in her life, but these experiences of rejection and romance where all relatively new to her and so she wasn’t sure she knew how to act about them. Shouldn’t they be kept secret?

But, she didn’t necessarily have to tell him everything either. 

Taking a breath and keeping her gaze off Joe she decided to focus on the problem at hand. “I’m just feeling a little down ‘coz Twilight and Flash don’t want me around.” 

Joe knew that that couldn’t be half of why Pinkie had been upset, but if that was what she was willing to share, then it was a start. He didn’t have illusions of solving her problems, but he’d sleep better at night knowing he’d shown her some kindness. 

“As in, Princess Twilight? Celestia’s old student? I remember her when she was still studying in Canterlot. So, she’s got a coltfriend, I take it?”

Pinkie nodded. 

Joe thought for a bit. “It’s not easy when your friends start dating. Not that I would really know… But, I can imagine that considering how close you guys were the night of the gala and on that train ride, it would be tough on you.” 

Pinkie stared blankly ahead. “Were?” She asked.

Joe blinked once or twice as he gathered her meaning. “That’s not to say you won’t be anymore, but I think sometimes these things have a way of taking over peoples lives for a bit. They probably just need some time to get over the initial infatuation of it all.” Joe had to stop and laugh at himself. “Listen to me, like I know everything about relationships. I haven’t gone out on a date or a social outing in years…” 

Pinkie turned to look at him again. Twilight and Flash had only been going out for a while. Maybe Joe was right, maybe they just needed some time to spend together alone to get it all out of their systems. Fluttershy had gotten pretty distant during the first part of when she had been dating Discord.

“You’re probably right. It’s not like they’re shutting me out entirely anyhow. I mean, they’re taking me to the opera tomorrow.” Pinkie allowed a slight smile to grace her muzzle.

Joe smiled back, “You see. It’ll all work out okay.” 

After a moment more, Joe walked back to his position of manning the counter. “How about a doughnut?” He asked, feeling proud of the change that was overcoming Pinkie.

Pinkie smiled warmly at this. “Sure, why not?” 

“What would you like?”

Pinkie tilted her head in thought. “Surprise me.”

“Okey dokey.” 

Pinkie continued to smile as Joe selected a doughnut for her. She felt slightly more settled now. Bon Bon had given her the cure to her heartache and it seemed that patience was all she needed to wait out the selfish phase of Flash and Twilight’s romance. 

Joe returned with a brightly iced pink doughnut that he placed gently in front of Pinkie before attending to the dishes which were gathering up.

Pinkie picked up her doughnut and was about to bite into it when she suddenly said, “Thank you, Joe,” in a surprisingly soft and genuine way.

“Not a problem.” Joe said as he levitated a dishcloth.

Pinkie Pie bit into her doughnut, the blend of the icing was smooth and distinctly raspberry flavoured, while the doughnut itself was spongy and relatively light. As she savoured the delicious treat she began to think about the pony who had made it and who had so kindly showed an interest in her. 

Joe was busily stacking the clean plates away in the shelves below the counter, so he didn’t notice Pinkie’s intent gaze. His build was not dissimilar to that of Big Macintosh back in Ponyville. Although it couldn’t be denied that Joe was considerably more well rounded, but that was to be expected of a pastry chef. Besides, Pinkie had never been as lithe as somepony like Applejack who toiled all day in the hot sun.  And now that Pinkie thought about it, Donut Joe’s weight gave him a kind look which suited his demeanour. Pinkie had never had a pony come out of nowhere and show concern to her before. Usually that was the role of friends and family.

Pinkie wasn’t quite sure what it was, but something about this stallion warmed her heart. She knew it was partly because of his kindness, but there was something else there as well. 

“Joe?” She asked suddenly.

He turned to look at her expectantly.

Pinkie bit her lip slightly as she looked at his face with new eyes. “Are you doing anything tomorrow night?” 

Joe blinked heavily. He hadn’t anticipated that question. What did it mean? 
Oh no… What if she thought he liked her because of their talk?

“Uh…” He couldn’t lie to her. “No, I don’t think so.” He replied reluctantly.

Pinkie beamed. “Why don’t you come to the opera with me? Then I won’t have to be a third wheel again!”

Joe felt his jaw slacken. “Um.” He paused, trying to pluck up the courage to make an excuse, but the hopeful look in her eyes was too much for a pushover like himself to bear. “Sure. I’d be happy to.” He lied.
 

> Hard & Fast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight and Flash hadn’t gotten far from the castle on their date. They had started out with a walk through town, and quickly decided to grab something easy for dinner before heading back to Flash’s quarters. 

The two were so enraptured by each other that they barely noticed how quickly time was passing. Before they knew it, the clock was striking a quarter past midnight and both Twilight and Flash could nearly count on their hooves the number of hours left till they were expected to report for their respective matutinal duties.

With a final embrace and a hearty giggle from Twilight, she parted ways with him, insisting that she couldn’t leave Pinkie alone tonight, much to the dismay of Flash.

Twilight’s heart throbbed vivaciously as she soared back to her room, being careful not to disturb the night guard. Upon approaching her door however, she was shocked to hear laughter coming from the other side.

Cautiously opening the door, Twilight peered in to see Pinkie Pie lying with her back flat against her mattress with all fours in the air, giggling uncontrollably.

“Pinkie?” 

“Twilight! You’re back!” Pinkie squealed as she bounced happily off the bed and onto all fours before hopping gleefully in circle around her friend. 

“You’re in a good mood.” Twilight remarked, slightly bewildered. After this morning she hadn’t known what to think of how Pinkie might be feeling. But she certainly had not expected this.

Pinkie sighed dreamily as she settled back on her bed, pressing her wild curls into her pillows. “I am.”

Twilight stood stock still for a moment, wide eyed. Before shrugging. This was Pinkie Pie after all. “Any particular reason why?” She asked as she settled herself into bed and magically dimmed the lights.

As Twilight lay her head against her pillow preparing to listen to a Pinkie discourse, she was shocked when suddenly Pinkie was standing over her.

“Oh Twilight! It’s just like Bon Bon said! I feel so good again! I haven’t felt this good in months!” 

Twilight’s jaw slackened as she could have sworn Pinkie radiated joy. “Bon Bon? What are you talking about, what’s happened?”

Pinkie giggled uncontrollably again as she dropped beside her friend and wrapped her forehooves around Twilights neck, nuzzling against her affectionately. “Oh, Twilight! I’m in love!” She sighed again. 

“In…In love?” 

Pinkie nodded vehemently. “It happened so quickly, but it was so wonderful.” A dreamy look fell over Pinkie’s eyes. “We’re double dating with you and Flash tomorrow night!”

Twilight had to gape for air as Pinkie’s grip tightened on her throat. “H-how exciting…” She finally managed before Pinkie loosened up. “So who’s the lucky stallion?”

Pinkie giggled again at this. “Oh silly, Donut Joe of course!” 

**************

Joe had to keep reminding himself to look at the left side of the room. But it was natural for him to cast his gaze over to the right... And he was doing it again! Back!

Joe groaned internally as his eyes made momentary contact with Pinkie. She was in the second row of the class, on the right side, gazing intently at Joe. Any other day, this could have been mistaken for the look of a studious class member, but Joe had heard her stifle a giggle as she walked in this morning, and every time he caught her eye he saw a glimmer in them that made his stomach turn.

It wasn’t so much the thought of Pinkie being attracted to him. That part was actually kind of flattering. But Joe wasn’t the dating type. He was far too dedicated to his work. Besides, Pinkie and he were totally, totally different ponies. She was so bouncy and optimistic and crazy. Whereas Joe prided himself on being level headed, serious and… Not bouncy.

Every time he saw the hopefulness and growing like in Pinkie Pie’s eyes, it reminded him that at the end of tonight he would have to let her down as easily as possible and then face her for the next two and half weeks as though nothing had happened. The awkward moments ahead seemed to leer at him as Pinkie relentlessly stared him down.

Internally, Joe was praying to Celestia and all that was good that he was imagining it. After she’d gone home, he had spent a fair while convincing himself that this was purely a friendly outing she had asked him on. But Pinkie wore her heart on her sleeve and it was pretty obvious, even to a stallion like Joe, with minimal exposure to the opposite sex, that she was falling hard and fast for him.

Today they would be spending the entire day on learning how to make the perfect dough. No easy task, particularly when you considered the technique involved in properly kneading it out.

It wasn’t long before his students had made a little lump of dough each that they could begin working with. Joe encouraged them to start kneading and he would do a round to offer some advice while viewing their current technique.

“It’s not going to fight you back, you can be gentler with it.”

“Not too bad.”

“Remember, it’s like folding a cloth, not scrunching it.” 

“Good.”

“Very good.”

“Uhh…” Joe gulped a little and focused his eyes solely on Pinkie’s hoofwork. “Try working it with a bit more force, you need to push it harder.” Joe stopped for a moment and felt his face grow hot as he heard what he had just said. There was nothing particularly bad about it, he would have said it to any student who was being too light on their hooves. So why had he automatically translated it in that sense…

Joe put his head down and began to walk away when…

“Hold on!” 

Joe grimaced. “Yes?” He asked reluctantly, placing his eyes back on her dough, uh, not her dough but… Grr.

“You mean, like this?” Pinkie asked innocently as she pressed herself more firmly into the dough, her baking background showing as her skilled hooves moved swiftly under the dough and flipped it into itself with ease before pressing it down again, repeating the process. Each time she approached the point of pressing, he could have sworn she was deliberately lengthening the motion and more noticeably using her whole body to push the dough down. Her little hooves working so deliberately, knowing when to go fast and when to go slow. 

Joe watched her repeat the process several times before nodding dumbly. “Perfect.” He managed as he walked off, feeling a little like his shirt had shrunk. 

Goldengrape looked up momentarily from his work, “Chef, are you okay? You're looking a little sweaty.” 

“I’m fine, keep going.” 

Had she done that on purpose or am I losing it? Joe thought as he absent-mindedly watched Goldengrape knead.

“Good.” He said bluntly as he moved forward, deliberately slowing his pace so he could get a look at Pinkie to see if she was showing any signs of revelling in the response she’d elicited in him.

No. She was just doing the same as before. Actually she’s getting a little too hard on that poor lump now. Joe gulped again and brought his eyes back to their job at hoof.

If she’d kept going, then that meant she wasn’t doing it on purpose. And that meant there was a chance that she wasn't interested in him that way.

************

As Joe was dressing for the show, he couldn't help recall the display Pinkie had made with that dough. Maybe it was because baking was a passion of his, but the way she had used her hooves was... What else could she do with those?

Joe shook his head. What was he thinking about? A student who may or may not be attracted to him was kneading some dough. There was nothing in it. And she was so childish... 

Man do I need to get out more.

He quickly finished with his bow tie and gave his suit jacket a final brush down. We'll see the show, we'll talk for a bit and then if she says anything about it continuing, I'll shut it down, then and there.

Joe's eyes widened as he noticed his hooves begin shaking involuntarily. 

Don't you dare! We can do this. It's not a big deal, other stallions, even mares, let ponies down this way all the time...

He looked at himself in the mirror above his dresser. Every pony but me lets ponies down... 

The face looking back at him became downcast as it considered its inefficiencies as a being. Joe had only ever had one relationship and it had been her who had done the letting down.

He sighed. It wasn't going to be easy, but Pinkie needed the truth before she got too involved. He would do it for her sake!

*************

"You should have seen the way he got all flustered when I was kneading today." Pinkie laughed as she straightened her hat. "He was so cute when he was flustered."

Twilight grinned as she watched her friend do a twirl in her old dress from the gala. The girls had only gotten to wear them once which was ridiculous after all the effort Rarity had put in. It only made sense to recycle them tonight.

"It's so good to see you happy again." Twilight remarked as a knock came at their door. 

"Come in, Flash."

Sure enough, Flash Sentry entered wearing a tux, his hair smoothed down. He gave a low whistle as he saw his marefriend in her light blue ball gown which caused Twilight to bashfully strike a curtsy.

"You mares certainly are looking lovely this evening." He commented.

"You don't look so bad yourself." Twilight murmered as she walked close to him giving him a playful nudge.

Pinkie, who was still checking herself over in the mirror, smiled gleefully at the flirtatiousness of her friend. A while ago, such actions caused her to feel slight pangs of jealousy, but not now she was in love. Pinkie couldn't wait for Joe to arrive so she too could practice her coquetry.

"We'd better go down and meet Joe." Flash said.

Pinkie gasped. "He's here?" 

"Yeah, I saw him walking up the stairs as I was coming over." 

Pinkie bit her lip as she felt her heart begin to race at the thought of him waiting in the foyer. Perhaps directly below her!

Tonight she would declare her love for him openly and then they could begin their romance. Then it would be Twilight waiting up for Pinkie and Pinkie cancelling outings with her friends because her special somepony was expecting her.

"What are we waiting for?" She suddenly squeaked making a b line for the door.

*********

"Joe! You made it!" Pinkie squealed as she rushed towards him pulling him into a hug.

Joe had been facing the opposite direction to that of Pinkie, so she had quite taken him by storm. 

"Of course." He finally said as she loosened her grip. His stomach started churning uncomfortably again as his eyes fell upon hers. They had never looked so broad, shiny and positively blue as they did now. Her eyes said it all. He would have to break her heart this evening.

After a moment they were joined by a much slower paced Twilight and Flash who both smiled warmly at the baker. 

"Always good to see you, Joe." Twilight said.

"Likewise." Flash nodded as he took Twilights forehoof in his own. 

Joe looked a little embarrassed suddenly. 

"Is everything okay?" Twilight asked.

"Well, it's just that I don't know, should I... Bow to you, or...?"

It was Twilights turn to be embarrassed. "No, please don't. I... I hate it when ponies... Just no." She waved the idea away with an exasperated hoof.

"Okey dokey then. I just didn't want to offend anyone."

Pinkie had to bite her lip again before she blurted out something about how charmingly kind Joe was. He looked positively handsome in his suit. It was a shame he wasn't a business pony who wore suits all the time. Pinkie wouldn't have minded seeing Joe dressed up more often.

"Shall we head off." Flash asked nonchalantly. 

"Sounds good to me." Joe remarked.

Flash and Twilight smiled at him knowingly as they took the lead in heading outside, their forehooves still linked tightly. 

Joe was preparing to follow them when he was nudged by Pinkie Pie who gave a light cough. "You can hold my hoof if you want." She commented casually holding out a pink, manicured hoof. 

Joe regarded it as if it might eat him, memories of today's encounter with Pinkies hooves still fresh in his mind. "No thanks, that's okay." He said quickly as he took off after the other two. 

Pinkie sighed again as Joe left the foyer, "Aw, he's shy! This is going to be so much fun!" 


> A Proposal Of Sorts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The carriage jolted to a start as the two couples began on their way to the Opera House. Joe had never seen an opera before, and he was slightly intrigued by the whole idea of it. He had a feeling it would probably be an activity which required more refinement than that which he possessed, but it would be an experience nonetheless.

He was about to ask what the opera was called when he felt something soft brush against his right, back leg and hover there. Turning immediately to Pinkie, he found her batting her eyelids rather overtly.

To his horror, Twilight and Flash had averted their eyes at this display of affection. Which meant they were on her side… Not that that wasn’t to be expected, they were her friends after all.

When she didn't get the desired response, Pinkie leaned in to whisper in his ear, although the pitch of her whisper was as clear as a bell to the two ponies who sat immediately in front of them,"Is something wrong?”

Joe gave an uncomfortable laugh in response as he saw Twilight’s eyes move onto them momentarily in curiosity. “Uh, no.” He said softly as he put his hoof over Pinkie’s and brought the two gently to her lap. Pinkie had a look of dismay as he withdrew his hoof once hers was sufficiently rested in its much more appropriate new home.

Keeping his eyes on the window of the carriage, he continued with his original ice breaker. "So, what are we seeing tonight, anyway?"

Twilight smiled excitedly at this. "Oh, you're going to love it! It's based on a very famous poem by a favourite writer of mine. It's called Eugene Horseshoein. It's a story about a bachelor stallion who gluts himself on the pleasures of life until he runs away to escape the world of glamour for the quiet countryside and there he meets..."

"Twilight." Flash said gently, curbing her enthusiasm. "Don't give away too much."

She blushed as she realised that she had been ranting.

"Sorry, Joe. I'm sure you'll like it anyway." 

"I'm sure you will too." Pinkie declared feeling a little left out.

Twilight couldn't help but notice how awkward Joe was acting. If she didn't know him any better she'd have thought that he wasn't interested in Pinkie that way, but he had accepted her invitation, and then there was all the other stuff Pinkie had told her about. Besides, Joe was certainly not the kind of stallion who lead ponies on. He must have just felt embarrassed being in this setting with another couple. 

Then again, Pinkie could be a little fast moving.

Twilight watched her joyous friend for a moment. Maybe I should have a word with her...

***********

As the ponies arrived at the Opera House and proceeded to their seats, Twilight put a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder.

"We still have some time before the show starts, why don't we leave the stallions for a moment and, powder our noses?" 

Pinkie gave Twilight a confused look. "Why in Equestria would I want to put powder on my nose?"

Twilight groaned a little before narrowing her eyes on her friend. "Come on, Pinkie." She said with a little push towards the restrooms.

Pinkie shrugged, "Okey dokey Loki. Save me a seat Joe!" 

Pinkie waved back over her shoulder at Joe as the two mares entered the plush restrooms. Twilight led Pinkie over to a seat in the corner. 

"Aren't you going to powder your nose?"

Twilight sighed. "It's used more as a figure of speech than a literal expression now. I wanted to pull you aside so we could talk."

"Ohhh!" Pinkie suddenly looked intrigued, "What about? Is it about Joe? He's really something, isn't he?"

Twilight gave a gentle nod. "He sure is. And..." She paused for a moment, as if making sure of the validity of the statement she was about to make. "He really likes you." Pinkie suddenly looked a little bashful. "But, I've known Joe a lot longer than you, and while I don't know him very well, I know for a fact that he hasn't had a marefriend in a long time. Possibly ever..."

Pinkie stared at her blankly. 

"And that means," continued Twilight slowly, "that he probably needs some time to work into the swing of dating." She regarded Pinkie seriously. "Do you get where I'm going with this?"

"Hmm." Pinkie raised a hoof to her chin and focused on the air in front of her eyes. "You mean like, I should take things kind of... Slow?"

"Absolutely. Unless you're sure that he wants to go faster, I'd say, hold off. Just for a bit."

Pinkie looked unsure which worried Twilight. She was half expecting her to argue the point. But Pinkie soon began smiling happily again, un phased. "Well, if that's what Joe wants, I don't see why I should pressure him. He is kinda shy. Which totally explains that incident in the carriage."

Twilight nodded. "Good chat. Okay, lets go find the others."

**********

The two stallions had decided not to enter the box until the mares returned. Flash had only ever spoken to Joe while he was ordering food so it was slightly awkward for the both of them.

"So, uh. You and Pinkie, huh?" Flash remarked.

Joe saw an opportunity here."Actually, I think she's confused about... Us." Joe said, relieved to be able to tell somepony else.

Flash raised a blue eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just that she was upset yesterday so of course I said yes to coming along, but she seems to think it meant that I want to go out with her or something..."

"And you don't?" Flash felt alarm bells ringing in his head. Pinkie was so happy. What would she do if she found out Joe wasn't interested in her that way?

"No, of course not." Joe said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. 

Flash felt himself grow angry at Joe's flippant attitude. "Why? Isn't she good enough for you?"

Joe felt a panic begin to rise in him,"I didn't mean it that way I just meant..."

"We're back!"

The two stallions dropped their argument as Twilight and Pinkie rejoined them. Twilight gave Flash a concerned look as she saw his nostrils flare. 

"Shall we go in?" Twilight asked with slight trepidation. 

"Of course." Flash grumbled taking Twilights hoof and leading her through the curtain. 

Their box had been fitted with four cushioned seats, two in front of the other on a slight angle. They were situated left centre of the stage with a fantastic view, hundreds of ponies bustling to get their seats in the stalls below. The low hums of the orchestra tuning up for the show could be heard mingling with the murmur of ponies chatting away to pass the time. Flash, much to the confusion of Twilight, had suddenly become rather pushy and pulled her down into the back two seats, mumbling something about keeping an eye on the other two. 

However, when Joe and Pinkie went to take their seats in front of them, Joe took a sudden step back and raised a hoof over his eyes. 

"Are you okay?" Pinkie asked, bouncing to his side and relishing the opportunity she got to put a hoof around his neck.

"I'm fine, I'm just a little..." He moved to take his hoof away from his eyes but quickly replaced it, this time more firmly as though he intended not to remove it. 

"Just a little, what?" Twilight asked joining Pinkie. Flash did not move. 

"I... I have vertigo." Joe stammered taking another blind step backwards and nearly bumping into the wall. 

"Maybe we could have the back seats?" Pinkie suggested throwing a pair of eyes glistening with concern in the direction of a nonplussed Flash Sentry.

Flash only responded by groaning and rolling his eyes before moving to the seat in front. Twilight shot him a look of disapproval which would have hurt him if he had not been sure that once he explained himself, Twilight would see his actions were totally justified. 

The first chance he got, he was going to unmask this nasty fiend.

Pinkie helped Joe to his seat and he soon found himself able to bear this distance from that very sudden drop. 

"Feeling better?" Pinkie asked, still resting her hoof on his firm shoulder.

"I think I'll be alright here." Joe nodded as he concentrated on his breathing.

Pinkie couldn't help smiling. He's soooo cute when he has vertigo. I just want to hug him! Oh no, I'd better not. Afterall, he is really shy.

But then she started thinking.

What if he did that on purpose with the vertigo so that Twilight and Flash would switch seats with us so they weren't watching us during the show? What if he wants to hold my hoof?! Or what if... 

Her head was spinning as she looked at Joe who was still recovering from his dizziness by focusing on the plot overview he had received at the door. Pinkie couldn't help but wonder if Twilight was right or not?

Maybe he's not that shy after all...

The lights then suddenly dimmed as the overture began. Ever pony falling into a hush, while Pinkie continued becoming more and more intoxicated by her stallion friend.

She was tempted to move her seat right alongside Joe's so that she could be as close to him as possible. But the possibility of what Twilight had said still remained so Pinkie decided to restrain herself, so as not to scare her lover away.

**********

The curtain fell as the first act ended. Twilight contentedly sitting back, not having realised how involved she had become in the show that she had been quite literally on the edge of her seat.

After taking a moment to savour the final moments of the act, Twilight turned to her friends expectantly. "So, what do you think so far?"

Flash only grumbled, his attitude beginning to grate on Twilight, although he insisted he would explain himself later. Joe gave a hearty nod in approval, despite having yawned through most of the singing. Twilight was, however, overjoyed to see a weeping Pinkie who gently blew her nose on a handkerchief before proclaiming a verdict.

"I can't believe how selfish Eugene is being when Tatyana's love for him is so pure. It's absolutely heart wrenching! I hope this has a happy ending, Twilight..."

Twilights face fell. "Well, uh... It has a happy ending of sorts... " She said unconvincingly. 

"But it says in the overview that at the end..."

"The overview can't give you the full sense of the story." Twilight replied snappily, causing Joe to swiftly place his copy of the overview under his seat.

Pinkie, who was still sniffling gave a hefty wipe to her eyes which caused a lump of mascara to smudge across her face quite badly. Looking at the black mess on her handkerchief alerted her immediately to this, making her jump out of her seat hurriedly. "Uh, I just need to go fix myself up. I'll be right back."

Twilight was about to ask if she wanted company when Pinkie was suddenly gone. 

"I will never understand how she does that. Maybe you can figure it out and let us know." Twilight said, giving Joe a light wink. 

"Not likely. " Flash interrupted. 

"Flash! What is wrong with you tonight?"

"There's nothing wrong with me, it's what's wrong with this... This... Imposter." Flash declared pointing a hoof at a very nervous looking Joe.

"What are you talking about? Don't point your hooves at other ponies that way!" To Flash's shock, Twilight knocked his hoof down causing him to snort angrily. "Flash?" Twilight was beginning to feel rather perturbed by her colt friends change of attitude. 

"Can't you see what's going on? Joe is playing Pinkie, he doesn't like her at all!"

Twilight looked horrified by Flash's statement and was about to chide him for it when Joe spoke up.

"It's not like that! I didn't want to hurt anypony. I just couldn't say no to her and she misread it. Please, I'm not like that. I don't want to upset ponies or give them false hope." 

It was Twilight's turn to be angry. "Well it's a little late for that, isn't it?" She sighed as she sunk back into her seat pressing her hoof into her temples. "I should've known. Pinkie's always so over the top about everything..."

There was a moment of silence which followed and felt like a good year to Joe. He couldn't tell if he should just leave now or...

"We're overreacting though. It's not Joe's fault. You were trying to do the right thing." Joe felt so relieved to hear this. He didn't cope well with conflict.

Flash gave a gentle nod in assent to his marefriends sentiments. "Sorry, Joe. You just don't know how miserable she's been and now we're going to have to cheer her up again and..." He sighed as he thought about the two weeks ahead of them. "What if you don't tell her?" He suddenly blurted out.

"Flash, how could you even suggest such a thing?" 

"I know how it sounds but, think about it. We would be able to spend time alone, we wouldn't have to be constantly worrying about hurting her feelings." He sighed. "I just feel like when Pinkie turned up we started walking on eggshells."

Twilight looked into her colt friends eyes and gave a sigh of exasperation. "I know. But we can't ask Joe to date her for our sake. That's just... No." 

Flash grinned. "Who says its only for our sake? We're not asking him to date Discord."

Twilight grimaced. "Flash, you can't tell somepony else who to love."

"Who says he has to love her? She's only in town for another two weeks!" Flash looked at the now bewildered Joe. He wasn't sure he was hearing all this right. "Come on Joe, back me up here. Would it really be so bad to go out with Pinkie Pie?"

Joe's eyes switched uncomfortably between Flash and Twilight who were respectively excited and down right annoyed. What could he say?

"Joe. Seriously. Tell me you don't find Pinkie Pie attractive." 

Twilight let out a low growl. "I had no idea you thought so highly of Pinkie, Flash." 

Flash chuckled nervously as he met his marefriends narrowed eyes. "Uh, I'm a stallion. We all notice this kind of thing, its not a big deal."

Twilight closed her hooves across her chest as she continued to send Flash death stares. 

"Just, please, think about it." Flash pleaded before turning to console Twilight.

Joe's head was reeling. Flash Sentry had just asked him to go out with Pinkie Pie. Well, this was definitely not an event Joe had anticipated for the evening. It would certainly make the end of his night less scary, not to mention it would relieve him of having to face a depressed Pinkie every day of class for the next two weeks. 

But could he do it? 

"Don't listen to him, Joe. Don't even think about what he said." Twilight was suddenly saying. She had moved beside him and had been talking at him as he was thinking through his options. "He's not thinking straight."

Joe nodded dumbly. He wasn't built to deal with these kinds of situations. He felt totally overwhelmed. His hooves had even begun shaking again. 

He knew there was a reason he had wanted to run a business on his own, not to me mention he was steadily being reminded why he avoided social outings. 

Before he knew it, Pinkie was sitting beside him again and she was now chattering away about something or other.

"What do you think?" She suddenly asked.

Joe stared at her, mystified. It was as though she had appeared from thin air."About what?"

Pinkie raised an eyebrow at him. "Weren't you listening? I was asking you what you thought would happen in the next act of the show."

Joe shook his head to clear his thoughts some more. "I have no idea." 

"Well, I personally believe that Eugene will come back for Tatyana. There's just no other way around it."

With all these new thoughts spinning in his head, Joe regarded Pinkie Pie intently. "What makes you so sure?"

She giggled. "Duh, because she loves him. Does he need any other reasons?"

Joe had to smile at her innocence. To his surprise, he felt like entering this interchange.

"But, think about it from Eugene's perspective. He's a lot older than her and he's experienced so much more. He doesn't have any illusions about things like love anymore and he knows that even if they're happy for a while, they'll probably end up hating each other eventually. That's just how things are."

Pinkie blinked several times as she took in what he was saying. "But that's so silly. Who says it will be that way? Why give all those other mares a chance only to stop now. Who's to say that Tatyana's love isn't truer than the mares before her?"

"Maybe that's not the problem. Maybe Eugene is afraid more of himself and his failings in love. Maybe he doesn't know whether he's capable of returning her affection."

"Maybe? Who stops at maybe? Life is about taking chances, and until you do that maybe will stay the same; uncertain. But isn't it better to know for sure?"

Joe hesitated to respond. Had this conversation somehow become about him?

He had read the plot overview before, but the previous conversation had wiped the details of it from his mind. He knew it ended tragically but...

"Ha. See, you can't argue with that." Pinkie smiled gleefully and clapped her hooves together as the orchestra begun to play again. 

As the second act wore on, Joe felt a new attachment to the opera. He suddenly felt as though it may hold some truth in it as far as the Pinkie dilemma was concerned. Admittedly, the majority of the opera could never apply to them, but there was a subtle truth in it that Joe felt acutely drawn to.

He felt his blood boil alongside the hero as he viewed the downtrodden Tatyana, tormented at her fete. There was no denying the connection between the two characters. Eugene did love Tatyana, even if only a little. At this thought, Joe looked askance at Pinkie Pie who was wrapped in the plot line, her inner romantic revealing itself. Her small chest heaved in and out quite noticeably bobbing the pink ribbon upon it, as she allowed herself to be totally consumed by the emotions being transmitted to the audience.

Joe wanted to laugh at how ridiculous she looked with the candy trimmings on her clothes, but at the same time he couldn't help admitting that Flash had been right about her. She was very attractive. The feelings that had stirred in Joe earlier today returned to him rather too quickly making him blush. He silently thanked Celestia that it was dark in the theatre as he returned his attention to the stage. 

************

The show had long since ended and the two couples had decided to walk back to the castle, Joe offering chivalrously to escort Pinkie back, despite it lengthening his trip home.

Pinkie had been rather distraught over the opera's ending. "I thought you said it was happy!" 

"I said it was in a way. And it was." Twilight confirmed stubbornly.

"How?" 

Twilight sighed. "In the end he loved her back. How isn't that happy?"

"Oh, I don't know, because they couldn't be together maybe?"

Flash laughed at the two mares as he walked several paces behind them with Joe. 

He hadn't said much on the way back, he had seemed rather solemn actually. 

"Have you decided what you're going to do?" Flash asked quietly. 

Joe was still thinking about the end of the opera. Eugene had ended up being alone after realising too late that he did in fact love Tatyana. If he had given her a chance to begin with...

"I think so." Joe said abruptly.

> First Impressions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What did he say to you? Surely he gave some clue as to what he had decided..." 

Twilight and Flash were standing awkwardly outside Twilights quarters, they were supposed to be bidding each other farewell, but neither of them were able to keep their eyes off the couple standing down the hall from them.

Pinkie was perhaps for the first time in her life experiencing the emotion of shyness. She didn't want Joe to leave her this evening without her saying how she felt about him. But for some reason it was very difficult to come out with it now that they had been left alone.

Pinkie scraped her hoof awkwardly against the floor. "Thanks for walking me home." She said quietly.

"Thank you for asking me out tonight. It was actually pretty fun." 

Pinkie blushed as she found her date smiling at her. 

Neither of them said anything for a moment. 

"Pinkie?"

Pinkie brought her eyes up to look fully into Joe's. 

"Yes?" She breathed. 

He hesitated. 

Her eyes were so big. They glistened with expectation and hope. Joe couldn't help letting his jaw drop a little as a billion thoughts descended on him at once. He thought again of the ending of that opera. The way things were going for him, he would end up alone, unloved and in many ways unknown to any of the ponies around him. But then he also thought about why he was in this position. Why was he hesitating?

Her eyes were blue too. A lighter shade though. And not as big. But pretty all the same.

He thought about the Canterlot School for Unicorns, graduating, beginning his apprenticeship. There had been a lot of happy times for Joe over those years. She had been apart of all of it. They had done so much together and gotten so far. But then there were the unhappy memories. There was the memory of him...

Joe couldn't help wondering about Pinkie. Who was to say that it wouldn't all go the same way? 

He thought about what Pinkie had said. Even if she hasn't meant it about him it stood true. There was no one to say that Pinkie would or wouldn't do that to him. He had to take a chance. It could be the greatest decision he could ever make.

Or the worst...

Joe had been staring into Pinkie's eyes for so long that it began to make her feel self conscious.

"Joe?" She asked slightly nervous.

Joe shook his head a little, dismissing all those nagging thoughts and memories. 

"Sorry about that, I just..." He cleared his throat apprehensively. "I was thinking that maybe you and I should get to know each other a little better."

Pinkie's jaw dropped. She had thought she was going to have to say it. But then what had she been waiting for?  Oh never mind!

"That would be so awesome!"

Joe laughed as she started bouncing on the spot.

"Great, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Thanks again." He moved is if to walk away but a quick shout from Pinkie stopped him.

"Hey, aren't you forgetting something?" She asked with her head slightly tilted, a wry smile on her glowing face.

Joe coughed, slightly uncomfortably as he realised what she was referring to. Celestia, she moves quick!

"Uh, of course." Joe, crinkling up his muzzle, slightly embarrassed leaned in and gave her a gentle nuzzle before quickly pulling back, "see ya tomorrow." He said hurriedly as he rushed away trying to hide the flush in his cheeks.

Pinkie stood in awe for a moment. She had wanted a kiss, but that nuzzle certainly sufficed. It was as if the imprint of his warm face still lingered on her cheek. As he had leaned in she had been overwhelmed by a scent of warm sugar and cinnamon. The smell had gone right through her and sent a tingle down her spine that remained for a few moments after the sensation of his presence had worn off. 

She wondered what she smelt like as she made a mental note to tell him how pleasant his aroma was. 

Once Joe had disappeared and Pinkie had settled herself, she turned on her heel and bounced contentedly back to her room. The sudden turn in her direction causing Twilight to push Flash off quickly so that she could find out exactly what had been said. 

Before Flash had left she made sure to narrow her eyes on him and whisper harshly a "I'll be dealing with you later..." Which made the stallion shiver. 

*************

Pinkie had gotten into bed well before Twilight having torn her dress off immediately as she came in the room, her mass of curls looking more buoyant than ever as they bulged around her face which glowed with happiness. 

"So, what did he say?" Twilight asked nonchalantly as she let her mane down. She couldn't shake a feeling of guilt each time she regarded her jolly friend. She needed to know that Joe wasn't leading her on at Flash's request.
"He said we should 'get to know each other better'." Pinkie giggled as she tossed over to lie on her stomach and focus her gaze fully on Twilight. 

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

Pinkie gasped. "Twilight! You're the one with the colt friend here!" She giggled again, slightly more uncontrollably and rolled onto her back once more. "It means he wants to, you know... 'Get to know me'."

Twilight sighed. "I know what you think it means, but did he really say it in that tone?"

"Huh?"

"Well, he could have said it as 'I'd like to get to know you better' or, he could have said; hey, it might be nice if we got to know each other better. They mean different things."

Pinkie looked thoughtful for a bit. "Hmm, now that you mention it, it was probably the second one."

Twilight smiled in relief. "That makes much more sense."

Pinkie huffed. "Do you mean to say it wouldn't make sense if Joe wanted to get to know me, that way?"

"Not at all! I just mean it would be unlike a gentle stallion such as himself to come on so strong." Twilight corrected calmly. 

Pinkie sighed. "I guess you're right. But I hope he's not too much of a gentle stallion, if you know what I mean..."

Twilight was settling under her blankets as Pinkie had spoken and she paused to regard her friend seriously. "Pinkie..." She said in a warning tone.

"What? I can't help it if I want things to move quickly. I thought that's what most stallions wanted anyhow. I mean, you and Flash obviously didn't take your time."

Twilight grimaced. Just ignore it... "I'm just saying, I think you should actually get to know Joe before you start assuming things." She was trying ever so hard not to sound exasperated. 

"Mmhmm, sure. Can I ask you something though?"

Twilight turned their lights off with her magic. "Shoot." She yawned as she sank into her pillow.

She heard the rustle of Pinkies blankets as she tossed and turned. "Well, you're a unicorn, right?"

"Yes..."

"And unicorns all have horns, right?"

Twilight scowled as she figured out where this was headed.

Sigh. "Yes..."

Pinkie shuffled a little more. "Is it true that you guys are kinda... Sensitive, in that region?"

Twilight tensed. "Pinkie, what does this have to do with anything?"

Pinkie chuckled nervously. "Well... I've never dated anypony before, especially not a unicorn and I really want to make him happy, you know? I mean, that's my special talent after all..."

Twilight groaned and sat up. "Pinkie, please. Just, date Joe and get to know him. When he's ready for all that, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to educate you." 

Pinkie was silent.

Twilight lay back down and pulled her blankets around herself. 

"Twilight?"

Silence.

"Twiiiiilight?"

"Pinkie..."

Silence.

"I know you're kinda touchy about this stuff but... Have you ever, you know... Put it in your mouth?"

Twilight shot up out of bed. "Pinkie, seriously?! You only just got asked out!"

"I know! I know!" She said defensively. "But, I just can't help wondering and you love teaching ponies stuff..."

Twilight groaned again. 

"So?"

"No, I haven't so I couldn't tell you anything about it." Twilight lied. 

"Oh. Okay. Goodnight Twilight!"

This is going to be the longest two weeks of my life...

*************** 

As always, Joe was up at three in the morning to begin work. Due to having gone out for the first time in a long time the evening prior, he hadn't gotten as much sleep as usual so it was particularly hard to pull himself out of bed. To begin his daily routine, he applied a generous splash of cold water on his face before pulling on his chefs jacket and grabbing a pastry from the day before for breakfast.

Walking groggily down to the kitchens, he recalled the events of last night.

His eyes widened as he recalled asking Pinkie effectively to date him. Wow... That's not something I thought I'd do again.

He pushed open the door to the main kitchen and felt a shiver as the morning air hit his coat. Using his magic he flicked a switch which activated the overhead heaters and began firing up the ovens. 

Using his aura again, he levitated a large group of items, eggs, flour etc and brought them to rest in appropriate and completely memorised amounts in an industrial mixer which soon hummed to life. Placing all the ingredients back in place, Joe turned a cupboard nearby to make himself some coffee when before he could place his hooves on the handles the warming aroma of black coffee hit his nostrils like a friendly embrace. 

He turned in shock to see Pinkie enter the kitchen from the opposite end carrying two steaming mugs.

"Uhh?" Was all he could utter as he stood slack jawed.

"Oh hi!" Pinkie almost shouted as though she hadn't noticed him although they were the only two ponies in the room. "I thought you'd need a pick me up after last night. Sorry we kept you awake so long."

Joe tried to master his jaw as he grasped the mug which Pinkie held out to him. "T-thanks..."

"No worries." Pinkie smiled happily resting on her haunches and bringing her mug to her lips. 

Joe looked mildly concerned as he imagined the effects of coffee on this bouncy pony, but before she sipped she seemed to catch his thought and giggled at it. 

"Don't worry, I only drink tea."

Joe blinked heavily before hesitantly laughing himself.

"What are you doing up this early anyway? And how did you even get in here?" He asked as he took his first sip.

"You call this early? Four o'clock is hardly impressive..."

"Four o'clock?" Joe asked, feeling the slightest tinge of worry come over him. "What do you mean four, its clearly..." He looked at the clock on the wall and read the time. Quarter past four. Unmistakable. "It's four o'clock?!" Joe shouted almost dropping his coffee.

"Is that bad?" 

Joe felt his chest start to heave, he had never slept in before. He was running an hour behind this morning and regardless of what happened he had to have fresh doughnuts out for the customers and be ready to start a day of teaching in less than three hours! He felt a rush of hot blood to his head as his heart started pumping triple time. Sweat gathering on his brow as he stood frozen in horror.

"Joe? Joe? Hello Joe?" Pinkie had approached the stunned donutier and was about to poke him when he finally shook himself from his stupor. 

"I never start this late! What am I going to do!? I'm ruined!" 

He was about to move away in a panic before Pinkie raised her hoof and pressed it firmly against his muzzle.

"Stop!" She commanded. "I'm going to need you to take a deeeeeep breath, can you do that for me, Joe?"

Joe nodded slowly as he proceeded to take a long, slow breath. 

"Great. Now I want you to release that breath out through your mouth, not too quick! But at a relaaaaaxed pace."

Joe nodded again before following her advice. He felt his blood begin to cool and his heart begin to slow as the breathing took effect. 

"Gooood!" Pinkie sighed as she followed suit, her eyes sliding shut. "Now!" She suddenly shouted, "lets think about what we have to do."

Joe felt his brain twist into knots at the thought of his current reality. "An impossible task?" 

"Nooooo... Good try though. What we have to do is to get through this morning in one piece. And how are we going to do that?"

Joe licked his lips nervously. "I have no idea..."

Pinkie finally lowered her hoof as she gave him a happy grin. "Don't be silly! We're going to do this together!" 

Joe said nothing. He wasn't sure how that was meant to be comforting.

"Many hooves make light work remember? And together we'll have those doughnuts out in no time." She said proudly.

"But, Pinkie, you don't know how to make doughnuts properly yet..."

Pinkie stared at him blankly for a moment. "That's... True." She said hesitantly. "But! I do know how to make fantastic cupcakes." 

Joe looked dubious. "And how does that help my doughnut store?"

"Duh, you'll just have to sell some cupcakes for today. I'm sure it won't kill your customers."

Joe wasn't as sure as Pinkie that it wouldn't but he had no other choice. If that was what he had to do to have enough stock for the day, then that would have to do.

"Okay." He said, feeling suddenly determined. "Lets do this!"

"Woo!" Pinkie shouted happily as she bounced over to the cupboards to extract the necessary ingredients. 

"Hold up! Pinkie I don't have any cupcake trays!" Joe looked sadly at Pinkie seemed unperturbed.

"That's fine. I always carry a spare 500 pack of patty trays for emergencies like this." 

Joe started in bewilderment as seemingly from nowhere she produced a wad of colourful patty cake trays. 

"Umm... Great!"

****************

It was six thirty and the other students would be arriving shortly. Joe was impressed by what he and Pinkie had achieved. Lined out on the table near Pinkie was a good two hundred cupcakes which she was just finishing off. He watched with a smile as she stuck her tongue out while applying the last piping of frosting to a vanilla cupcake. 

Joe meanwhile was preparing to fry his final batch of doughnuts for the morning.

"I can't believe we pulled this off. I owe you for this one, Pinkie."

Pinkie laughed. "Did you really think we wouldn't?" 

Joe didn't think he should answer that question.

"Here. I want you to be my quality tester." Pinkie said as she came towards him carrying a bright pink cupcake. 

Joe smiled as he levitated it over to his mouth. "This looks awesome." He said before taking a generous bite.

Pinkie watched in eager anticipation as she awaited his judgement. His eyes were closed as he chewed the sweet, a small 'mmm' coming from his full mouth. 

"So?" 

Joe swallowed and opened his eyes. "No jokes, that was the best cupcake I've ever eaten!"

Pinkie clapped her hooves together excitedly. "Do you really mean it?"

Joe nodded. "Seriously, it is an honour to serve this at my store... I'm only afraid that now I'm going to have get you to teach me how to do this before you leave because once my customers have a little they're going to want more!"

"Well, I could always come back and make more." Pinkie said with a sweet smile. 

Joe gulped. Yes, I suppose she very well could...

"Or you could come to Ponyville sometime and I could teach you there."

Joe had to paste a fake smile on his face. "Haha, yeah..."

Pinkie didn't seem to notice his hesitance and rather bounced away blissfully happy and ignorant. 

***************

Joe hadn't been planning on going out with Pinkie this evening, but after the help she had given him it only seemed fair. Besides the fact the she hung around the store even after the class had been dismissed. Joe had begun to think that by the end of the day she would be getting on his nerves, but to his surprise, he actually didn't mind the thought of her still be around after closing time.

As the last customers were leaving, Pinkie began doing the dishes while Joe packed up.

"Thanks for this morning, you saved the day." 

"Aw, no problem. It was super fun to be making my speciality again. I never thought I could miss cupcakes so much."

Joe smiled. "I'll give you a cut out of the earnings for the day of course."

Pinkie gasped. "Absolutely not! I was doing you a favour, you don't owe me a thing!"

Joel's ears lowered against his head in confusion. "Are you sure?"

"Sure as can be." She piped.

Joe didnt feel right accepting her help for nothing, but he wasnt sure he could press the issue without offending her so things went quiet.

"So, what do you want to do tonight?" She asked suddenly.

Joe hadn't really thought that far ahead. "Well, do you have anything in mind?"

"I'm happy with anything." 

Joe wondered whether that was one of those generic things females said when they really did have something in mind but they wanted to see you come up with it. He therefore hesitated to respond.

"Maybe we could do a picnic dinner?" He suggested.

"Ooo, that sounds fun!" She replied excitedly.

Joe watched her carefully, weighing up the honesty of her response. "Of course, I can make us something to take." He suggested, thinking that Pinkie might show signs of being really impressed by this suggestion so he could build a gauge of her emotions.

"Why in Equestria should you do that? After all, we have all these yummy pastries around that haven't been eaten, why don't we just take these?"

"Well we could certainly take some, but we can't just eat desert." He laughed the idea away.

"Don't be ridiculous, of course we can only eat desert. It's the best part of dinner anyway."

Joe stared at Pinkie who was calmly drying some plates. The idea of only eating sweets sounded marvellous to a pony whose life revolved around pastry, but his previous experiences with mares made him confused about her suggestion. "Seriously? Aren't you... I mean, don't you... Not that you have to..." He blushed as he got muddled. "Don't most mares usually worry about their figures?" 

To his relief Pinkie looked unperturbed. "Of course. But, I'm not most mares. For me there are only three things in life that are really important. Number one is making every pony I meet smile because there is nothing greater than that. Number two is spending time with my wonderful friends, and number three is eating as much delicious food as I possibly can!" 

Joe marvelled at the pink pony in his kitchen. Since all that business with his last filly friend, Joe had thought that mares were only concerned with themselves. Of course, he didn't mean to generalise. He respected his female employees and all mares really, but deep down he could never really get over his deep seated belief in their selfish nature as a community. What Pinkie had just said now transcended all selfish thought. She dedicated her life to the happiness of others. 

Memories of her stalwart behaviour towards her employers creation aboard that train came back to him. Not to mention the fact that she had afterward so willingly forgiven her friends upon learning of their deceit. 

There was more to this mare than met the eye.

"It's settled then. A picnic of sweets in the Canterlot gardens coming right up."




> Personal Space
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun was setting as Pinkie slurped up the last of the cupcakes left over from today's sales. The frosting had developed a light crust on the upper layer and the treats were heading towards being more solid than fluffy, but they and an assorted selection of similarly fading doughnuts had sufficed nicely as a makeshift meal for the pink pony and her stallion friend. 

Night and day were giving each other a brief greeting and goodbye as Luna's starry sky replaced Celestia's. The sight was truly something to behold. In the higher stratosphere was a deep blue dotted with scintillating spots which melted into various shades of purple before hitting an orange sunset that was lingering lazily on the horizon. 

Pinkie sighed happily as she licked her lips savouring the last of her dinner/desert and settling firmly on her belly to begin digestion. 

Joe couldn't help but smile as he watched her. He still couldn't believe he'd managed to spend a whole day with her without feeling any hint of annoyance. It may have sounded mean, but while Pinkie Pie could be a lot of fun, Joe had no illusions as to the boundaries which Pinkie ignored in her social interactions.

"This has been really nice." She said softly, startling Joe from his musings.

"I agree." 

"Maybe we could do this again tomorrow?" She suggested hopefully.

Joe raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think you'd get sick of this if we kept it up?"

Pinkie giggled softly and inched her body closer to his. "Oh, Joe! I could never get tired of spending time with you." 

Joe felt his heart flutter involuntarily as he saw the way she lowered her eyelids playfully while glancing at him.

He stammered. "I... That's very sweet of you. I only meant that maybe we should do something different?"

Pinkie's face lit up. "For real? You really want to go out with me again?" 

"That's what I said, isn't it?"

Pinkie sighed dreamily at the stallion who was smiling softly back at her. Without a second thought she moved herself right next to him on their picnic blanket, her side pressing lightly against his. 

The sun was beginning to look like a broken yolk as it spread its final rays along the horizon, surrendering itself to the evening with a powerful display of colour which almost hurt the ponies eyes... Had they been watching it. 

Joe's attention was currently preoccupied with the pink mare beside him who was nestling her head, rather unexpectedly against his neck. Her eyes were closed firmly. 

Joe felt the flutter grow stronger beneath his breast. It had been a long while since a mare had been so affectionate towards him. He didn't like to dwell on the thought for too long, but there had been more than several occasions in the past few years where he had longed again for this kind of company. His chest surged with delight at the thought of a new romance. 

Unfortunately for Joe, his heart was not in any position to make demands or take the lead in dishing out orders. His head was still firmly placed upon his shoulders and more than aware of the dangers involved in romances. Even now, his mind was recalling past scenes which reinforced its cautions to take things slower yet.

Joe decided to make conversation.

"Why do you have your eyes closed like that?" 

Pinkie rubbed her face firmly against his coat once more before answering, still not daring to pull away. 

"If I keep my eyes closed, then I'm shutting out one sense so that I can allow my others to be further indulged. Besides, I can't see you from this position. It would be a total waste of the moment." Pinkie spoke as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Joe was slightly taken aback by her frankness. After taking a moment to recover himself and once again remember he was in the presence of one of the less predictable beings in Equestria, he felt a desire to ask; "And what exactly are you savouring so intensely?"

Pinkie pressed her muzzle into his neck, giving him the gentlest of kisses. "You, of course."  

Pinkie had almost planned out that moment. She had figured that after her light gesture and undeniably salient admission of affection that she might begin to shower him with her love more unrestrainedly. However, she had not accounted for the slight chance that Joe may respond the way he in fact did. 

Feeling the warmth of her lips on his coat, Joe's mind demanded that defence positions be assumed. Without warning, he jolted away from Pinkie in a state of alarm which caused Pinkie to feel suddenly as though the stallion before her had no recollection of ever having met the mare before.

"What's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

Joe swallowed the lump in his throat as he processed his reaction. "Sorry, Pinkie. I just need some more time..." 

Pinkie smiled sadly.

"Okay, Joe."

Joe wiped his brow, feeling a shadow of guilt drift over him and linger like a yoke.

"Maybe it's time we headed back. I'll walk you."

Pinkie jumped up in alarm. "Oh no! I couldn't possibly let you do that. I've kept you out late enough. After this morning it's obvious you need some extra rest." She noticed Joe look as though he might protest. "I'll be fine. Really." She smiled reassuringly and simultaneously gave Joe a look which warned him that he had better not say another word on the matter.

He sighed, defeated. "Alright." He said softly. "And, thanks for looking after me."

Pinkie grinned, "No problem. I..." She bit her lip and looked somewhat bashful. "I like looking after you." 

*************

Joe stared at his reflection in the mirror. 

He had hung up his uniform upon arriving home, and promptly gone to brush his teeth. But before he went to bed he had caught his reflection in the mirror and hadn't so far managed to get away from it.

Joe was by no means a vain pony. In truth, he barely used his mirror. But right now, his reflection had him captured. Not because he liked what he saw but because he was wondering what exactly it was that he saw and furthermore what it was that she saw.

It was somewhat like an out of body experience to stare at oneself for so long. Joe tried very hard not to become too philosophical as he gazed, questions concerning matters of consciousness and being all forced to one side of his mind as he focused on things that seemed more realistically understood.

He was not what he considered to be handsome. And given the amount of attention mares gave him, he was certain that others felt similarly. He had let himself go somewhat, a rounded edge appearing on his jaw and belly. 

Now that he was evaluating himself he realised how tired he looked. His eyes seemed to be constantly drooping as though he hadn't gotten enough sleep. Not to mention the lack of defining colour within them. Other ponies seemed to have such striking eyes compared to his. 

Thinking on his eyes, he recalled again the eyes of Pinkie Pie. They were so big and blue. They seemed sometimes as though somepony had just freshly polished them. Her eyes made him smile.

The smile contorted his less than satisfactory face further. 

What did she see in him?

His mane needed a brush.

Joe shook his head. 

These things are all so superficial. Does it really matter how my mane looks? Surely mane's and personalities have no proven correlation. 

He sighed.

Okay, so my personality. What is there to that? I work, I eat, I sleep. I don't have any dreams. I don't have any hobbies outside of baking. Heck! I don't even have friends...

Joe focused his gaze squarely on his reflection. His eyes peering into the eyes before him.

What is it that dictates life and what it means to live? Am I living?

He shook his head again. Was he going too deep?

No.

Life is about risks, its about little things. It's about making mistakes and messes, its about feeling the wind in your hair, running till all your muscles ache, crying till your eyes are red, making friends, making enemies... It's coffee in the morning, and tea before bed. It's the smell of old books being reopened, the sound of a pencil scratching out a message, the chirping of birds in their nests...

And I suppose at the end of everything, its about being able to laugh at all these things. Laughter is the culmination of the joy that comes from even the worst things in life. Laughter is hindsight and contentment with all that is past. Laughter is the thing that holds all those inexplicable other things together. Laughter is...

Joe smiled. 

Laughter is Pinkie Pie.

He climbed into bed still grinning when his mind began berating him again. As he settled under the covers he couldn't help saying aloud;

"Give it a rest. She's a nice mare."

********************

"Oh goodie! You're awake!"

Joe groaned as he attempted to roll onto his back, his senses slowly returning to him as sleep fell away. As he went to move however he felt himself catch against something outside his blankets.

Did somepony say something? That voice, it was...

"Pinkie Pie?!" Joe's eyes shot open.

Pinkie was standing above him, her forehooves on either of his shoulders, her face leaned down towards him so that her muzzle nearly pressed against his.

His tired ears were hit rudely by the sound of her high pitched giggling.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" She chimed happily. "You look sooo cute when you're  sleeping!"

"What in Equestria are you doing here? Were you... How long were you standing there?" 

Pinkie was startled as she realised Joe's eyes had narrowed. His tone was disapproving and suddenly she wondered if she had over stepped some kind of boundary.

"I... I only wanted to help. I thought that..." She stepped off of his body and sunk to her haunches at the end of the bed, Joe sitting up to face her. "After yesterday, I didn't want you to sleep in again."

He looked at her pouting face and almost felt sorry for her, but then again she couldn't get off so easily, he needed to tell her what she had done.

"Pinkie, haven't you ever heard of personal space?" He sighed running a hoof through his mane.

Pinkie cocked her head. "Plenty of times! My friends used to bring it up a lot, but not so much anymore..."

"Not so much anymore?"

Pinkie shrugged, "I suppose they're just used to me." 

Joe wasn't sure how to respond to that so he just stared at her for a while in thought.

"Well I'm not." He said finally.

Pinkie gasped a little, her front curl drooping downwards. "I've upset you, haven't I?"

Joe grimaced, he really couldn't stand seeing her upset. But he also couldn't stand the thought of a mare he had only recently become acquainted with, bursting into his home and watching him sleep. He shivered.

"Don't you see how what you did is a little... Creepy?"

Pinkie raised a hoof to her chin in thought. "Hmm... Not really..." She said sadly.

Joe's ears flopped back against his head as he groaned.

"Well then, imagine it yourself. You wake up in the morning, and some stranger is standing over you, watching you sleep! How would you feel?" He hadn't meant to raise his voice, but that was how it had come out.

Pinkie's face dropped. "I'm a... Stranger to you?" 

Joe rolled his eyes, "Is that all you heard me say?" 

"... No." 

Joe didn't feel the need to say anymore. Without a further grumble, he got out of his bed and pulled the sheets back in place, Pinkie jumping off as she saw what he was doing. Her eyes were glistening with tears, but Joe knew he couldn't keep comforting her.

He sighed. "Just go back to the castle and get some sleep. I'll see you in class." 

He avoided eye contact with her as he went to his wardrobe getting out his uniform. It was a few moments before he heard that Pinkie had heard him, and she was silently making her way out of his house.

As he pulled at his collar he found himself in a tug-o-war between his head and his heart once again as his heart berated him for for turning her away so brusquely, while his head applauded his affirmative action taken to straighten out her personality kinks.

"Just be quiet." He said aloud. He was growing weary of this inner ambivalence. He also was not looking forward to seeing her in a few hours...