A Baker's Love

First Cupcake

Love. It's such an odd concept. One minute your minding your own business, the next you find yourself infatuated with a pony you've never even met. Its strange how that happens. Your heart is calm and beating at a normal tempo and then, when that pony crosses your path, its beat rapidly increases until the point its beating so fast you can hear it in your ears. You then begin to sweat and your tongue becomes jumbled. The only thing you can say is just gibberish that even you have no idea about what you're saying. That's if  you're lucky to even talk to her. Plus, the only thing you can see is the pony standing in front of you as you don't watch what you're doing. Especially as a chef, its tough since your holding onto a skillet with boiling scrambled eggs with just your teeth. But I wasn't feeling that. I did stop and stare a little bit at a bell's jingle, however.

"Hey, uh, Crisp? You there buddy." Sky Dance waved a blue colored hoof in front of my face, leaning forward from his seat. It was just another regular that visits.

"What?" I turned my attention back towards Sky, his green eyes dancing, as he sits back onto the stool. "Oh. Right," I put the eggs onto his empty plate with a couple of bacon strips and some toast. Another bell rang out.

"What's the matter, Crisp?" Sky asked, turning back around from seeing a couple of mares walk in. He then began shoving food down his gullet. "Never seen a mare before?" He replied in between bites. A smile forming on his face. His lime and white mane bouncing around.

Sarcasm is Sky's forte, for some odd reason. It's weird how a musical Pegasus, especially one held as a genius, can be such an idiot. I just glared at him as he snickered. They were both beautiful. Like, super model beautiful. However, I lost interest quickly as they both sat down next to Sky, one on each side.

"Hello again ladies," Sky replied smoothly as he put both hooves around them. "Guess its that time again, Crisp. Better get back to my life as a celebrity." He and his to mares stood up.

"Yeah, yeah. Go shove a Cello down your throat!" I shouted at him as he left the diner. Schmuck.

The day went by slowly, with ponies coming and going at a trickle. It was relaxing work and not having to make a million meals every single second for a million ponies. It's nice to cook a comfortable pace without having to worry about much. Well, until it became night time when I need three sets of extra hooves. Four to cook and eight to run plates. 'Tis the night of eating.

For the next three hours, we were packed to the brim with ponies. They were young and were mainly couples. Odd that. This diner isn't usually a spot that couples like to hang out at. Might have to look into it. I asked Caring Wish about it and she had no clue. Neither did Skillet or his sister, Autumn Blend. They were kids themselves, but worked so they weren't to up and up on what was going on with the down low on their class mates. Word. Forget I even said that.

Anyway, as the night rolled on, we closed the diner down around nine o'clock and began cleaning up. Once we were done cleaning up, I paid the three ponies their due before they left. Caring Wish, on the other hoof stayed until after I locked the doors, placing the keys in my apron's pocket.

"Excuse me, Mr. Crisp. I need to talk to you." She replied, a worried look on her face.

"Of course Caring. What is it? "

"Well, I was hoping to ask you to terminate my employment?"

"You're quitting?" I asked with such a shock.

"Yes," She squeaked.

"What for?" I tilted my head slightly in confusion, feeling an eyebrow raise

"I'm graduating from the University and I'm moving to Las Pegasus to continue my education."

"Ah." I nodded with approval. Its always good to put one's education first and foremost. "When do you leave?"

"In a weeks time. Its short notice, I know, but I've just been worried about how to tell you."

"It's OK Caring. I understand. I'm not even mad. The only problem I'm going to have is finding some pony that is good as you at being a waitress." I replied.

"I think I know just the mare. Let me bring her by tomorrow before the rush. To train her some."

"Alright. I leave it in your hooves, madame." I told her with a slight bow of my head.

"Thank you, Mr. Crisp!" She grabbed my neck, squeezed tightly until I told her to stop since she was chocking me.

We parted with waves after that and I walked back home. I wonder what this friend of Caring will be like. Better not dwell on it. I'll find out tomorrow.

Tomorrow

I watched as Old Stallion Forkie pick up a piece of celery with his forked hoof and began nibbling on it. Well. It wasn't a forked hoof. It was actually a metallic two pronged fork that was attached to his right leg from a metal base. He lost his actual hoof in a construction accident. Tragic how a two ton cement block can crush a hoof.

It was around noon when Caring brought herself and her friend in. Comparing the two, Caring Wish was the better looking, with the better mane and better coloring. Plus, she was a Pegasus. I have a thing for Pegasi, oddly enough. Anyway, Caring was a sweet summer green while the friend was like a badly roasted almond and the darkest colored mane almost known to pony kind. Luna had that title. She had sparkles in it. I dare ya to beat sparkling hair that flows without a wind. Ya can't! I need to stop before I get carried away.

Anyway, this mare also wore a strange, black beret that hasn't been around since I was her age. or was it Caring's age? Can't remember. Oh well. Her eyes were a dark, brown that seemed light-hearted and full of fun. Seemed like that, anyway.

"Welcome to my humble diner!" I greeted with wide open arms."How can I help you two lovely mares out?"

"Hey Mr. Crisp." Caring said with a small smile on her face. "This is the friend I've told you about. Her name is Piper."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Piper."

"Likewise," replying with a slight nod. She pushed black framed glasses up, so they could sit a bit higher on her muzzle.

"Well, I guess we better get started then Piper. Don't mind us Mr. Crisp."

Caring Wish said as she began to give the tour of the diner and went in depth about what Piper had to do. It was cute seeing Caring move about, showing her friend the ropes. Fortunately for me, I was drafted as a guinea pig, along with my best pal Scramble who came to visit, to help Piper out with taking down orders, remembering faces and other things. We, meaning Scramble and I, had fun with it since we were the rowdiest ones, even though we weren't really customers. However, actually customers began to pour in little by little, which helped Piper get acquainted with taking actual orders. Scramble sat back and watched, giving tips here and there.

An hour later, after Autumn Blend and Skillet came in, the rush hit, and it began getting to the point where Piper was helping with orders and taking care of customers. Scramble was in the back helping cook and make plates. That guy was probably the life saver since I noticed we had a line out of the door. I didn't understand why, until Sky came towards the estimated middle of the rush with a bunch of groupies. Even Scramble had the same horrified look on his face as did the rest of us, except Piper who was going gaga over him until she remembered what was happening and continued working.

"Yo Crisp! Hey Scrams!" Sky waved as he sat down on his favorite stool.

"Hey Sky," We both said, monotonous and our horrified looks still on our faces as we continued to cook.

"Why the long faces?" he shouted over the loud roar of the crowded diner. Piper set a drink down in front of him.

"You know exactly why!" I shouted at him as I placed a celery salad plate down in the little window and rang the bell. Autumn snatched it with her magic.

"Not my fault you make great food Crisp! I wasn't one of Celestia's top cooks." Sky said, and I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, one of Piper's ears perked up, as did Autumn Blend's and Caring Wish's. Wonder what they're going to do since I never told them. I only told Skillet and it was at a party once after having wa~y to many glasses of cider. I knew he wouldn't say a word since's mute. That was an advantage. That mangy, pea-brained.... ARG!

"Don't matter! We're already swamped with customers. What is that you guys want?" I asked and had Caring Wish take down orders and Autumn Blend and Piper focus on the other customers.

A couple of hours went by and the place was practically deserted. Sky stayed back, though, and began helping clean up. Something about helping a friend out. I don't know. Anyway, cleaning up the place took another hour after we closed and we were out the door. I hate those rushes Sky hurls at us. They're terrible, but the money is always nice. I should start making him pay. Double the normal price, in fact.

Once the doors were locked and everyone was outside. Caring and Autumn stood in front of me, blocking my path to home. Scramble teleported away, knowing something was up, saying his fire was on oven. While Sky's stupid excuse was his laundry was being roasted on a spit. I don't know. The only thing I know right now is they're cowards, but they can't really help me anyway. Skillet on the other hoof, he's stuck there and can't leave without his sister. Piper was standing back and waiting for Caring Wish.

"So, Mr. Crisp? When were you going to tell us you were one of Celestia's cooks?" Autumn asked, her hazelnut eyes stared daggers into me.

"Um...I don't know?" I smiled weakly, my shoulders shrugging. I gulped not knowing what was happening. Skillet was also clueless and just as scared. They both puffed up their chests as the began to suck in air, until Piper piped up. Totally intentional pun. I hate myself.

"Does it matter though?" Piper asked. The two mares turning towards her after exhaling.

"Yeah it does. He could give us so~ many tips and hints to help us get better at cooking. You should know that to be one of Celestia's Chef's you have to be the top graduate of the Equestrian School of Cooking." Caring answered hotly but cooled down a second later. "Sorry,"

"You shouldn't be worrying about how to become the best chef, but how to better your cooking skills.You know as well as I do, Caring, that it takes time and practice to to become a better cook, as well as a chef. Let's go home. I'm tired after today." She began walking away, not until after I nodded my thanks.

"Ah pony feathers! You're right. Besides, I gotta worry about packing." They turned around and began walking.

"She's right. Let's get home, Skillet." Autumn told her brother, who held his mouth closed and nodded. They both left, leaving me to breathe after that little ordeal.

I looked at both leaving parties and I noticed Piper looking back towards me, a small smile on her face. She looked back forward as she and Caring turned a corner. Love. It's such an odd concept. One minute your minding your own business, the next you find yourself infatuated with a pony you don't even know. Ah, Pony feathers! The seeds have been scattered onto this game field and I ain't quite ready to bake the cake needed. Plus, I've never even kissed a mare before.... Striking that.