Baking a little magic

“Alright... mhm... yeah...”

Twilight stood in front of the manager of Pinkie’s favourite restaurant. She had been standing there for the better part of ten minutes, listening to the stallion’s excuses.

“...and that’s why we can’t seat you, or your... filly friend.” There was a pregnant pause as the stallion waited for Twilight to reply.

She twitched. That was her backup restaurant for the date and without anything, Twilight was beginning to get stressed.

“That’s alright, I’ll go look elsewhere.”

Twilight walked out of the restaurant and turned the corner towards home. Her mane was getting a little ragged and she was almost constantly sighing to herself.

Twilight neared the library, mind buzzing to come up with something, anything to make this night special for Pinkie; though she wasn’t in the right mood. She felt as if she had let Pinkie down.

“Howdy Twi”, what brings you out at this time?”

Twilight looked up from the path and saw that Applejack was standing just off to the side, looking at her with a mixed expression; one of confusion and curiosity.

“Oh, hi Applejack,” Twi replied, walking towards her, “nothing really... actually, can I talk with you. I need some advice...”

“Sure can, I was on my way home anyway. Come on.”

The two of them made it Applejacks house, Twilight said hello to the members of the apple family, thoroughly apologising for not being able to stay for lunch.

“Ok, what did you want to talk about?” Applejack asked, jumping up on her bed and patting the area next to her.

Twilight jumped up and made herself comfortable before starting, “Pinkie and I are... together.”

When Applejack made no move to respond, Twilight carried on. “I went round to hers to "learn to bake" and we ended up...”

“Ok, I don’t need to know what you did. All I want to know is what’s got you all tied up.” Applejack replied, placing a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. Her face showed one of concern, which was extremely comforting to Twilight.

“Well, I asked Pinkie out for dinner. But the two places I know she would LOVE are FULLY booked, AT THE SAME TIME,” Twilight was breathing heavily and Applejack had to hold her, just to stop her from shaking.

“Twilight, calm down!” Applejack shouted in her face, snapping Two back to reality.

Twilight’s face turns crimson and she instinctively turned away, “I’m sorry, I’m just so worried she won’t like it. Then she’d think I was a bad idea, thus ending with her leaving me...”

Before Twilight could think herself into oblivion again, Applejack bopped her on the nose.

“Ow... Thamps.”

“I think you need to take a step back and look at who you’re dating. It’s Pinkie ; I’m sure she’s absolutely love whatever you do for her.”

“But what if...”

“Nu-uh, I’m talking. How about you go home and cook her something yourself."

Twilight stopped, giving it a thought before smiling, “Thank you Applejack, I knew you would help!” Twilight jumped off the bed and trotted over to the door.

“It’s no problem, about time you told her...”

“Hmm, what was that?”

“Oh nothing, good luck!” Applejack smiled. She followed Twilight down and waved her goodbye. Just as Twilight was out of sight, Applejack smirked and called out, “You can come out now, Twilight’s gone.”

“Oh good, that barn need a good clean!”

Twilight wandered down the path, her mind doing some wandering of its own, going through recipes of dishes that she could actually cook.

After a few minutes, she gave up. “Nothing, I guess I can’t cook...” Suddenly she had the best idea. “I’ll need gems... lots of gems.”

Twilight burst into the library with a new saddlebag, which was bursting at the seams with ingredients and two very large sacks of gemstones.

“Spiiiike!” Twilight called out, hoping her assistant was at home.

A few seconds passed by, feeling like an eternity, until a faint, “Yeah!?”

“Come down, I need to ask you something!” Twilight turned around and switched the sign on the door to close and locked it.

Spike came waddling down the stairs, tail slapping against the grain, signalling his descent. “What’s up?”

“I’m having Pinkie Pie over for dinner later. But seeing as I can’t cook, I was wondering if you would do I this massive, gargantuan favour and cook for us?”

Spike raised his eyebrow and scratched his chin, “What’s in it for me?”

“Well, no chores for a week.”

“And...”

Rolling her eyes, Twi turned her head and levitated out the two bags and placed them in front of Spike. “These as well.”

“Hmm tempting, anything else to help you court Pinkie?”

Twilight was taken aback, “Where did you learn that!?”

“Uh... In a book... I read sometimes!”

Twilight wasn’t convinced, but let it drop this once. “Alright... I’ll convince Rarity to let you help out more at hers.”

“When do we start?” Spike asked as he ran into the kitchen.

Twilight smiled and trotted after him.