Upper Crust

It had been a lot of talking, in fact the two had hardly gotten any sleep last night which is why each of them were a little sluggish today. Eventually though they had come to a reasonable compromise on the sugar. A gradual reduction starting today. They’d drop the content down to ninety percent this week, eighty next and ten percent each week until eventually they were hoping to just use twenty percent of the addictive and fattening sugar. It was such a gradual phase out over the few months that Cookie was confident it would work.

As they opened up though, both her and Pinny were obviously nervous about it and it showed. Cookie despite looking and feeling more tired than usual twitching slightly, just waiting for that first comment from a customer. If anyone noticed it was going to be Clipsy, who was as she always was, first in line at the hatch to get her daily three bag order.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as Doughy passed the bags over and Clipsy as she always did immediately retrieved a treat from one of the bags and chewed.

It was much to Cookie’s relief when she had finished it that she didn’t even bat an eyelid, eating the small marzipan square she had pulled out with no complaints. Even commenting “As good as always, see you tomorrow!” to Doughy before she waddled herself out of the line so another pony could be served.

“I think it’s working.” she said to Pinny.

“What is?” he replied, which made Cookie frown. She knew sometimes he liked to play dumb.

“The sugar reduction, Clipsy just had her usual order and didn’t seem to notice. She was going to be the biggest test.” Cookie said to him.

“Well, unless that food critic shows up again. It could happen.” he mused.

“I think he tends to stick to new places and we had two visits, how many more does he need?” Cookie asked.

“Well if he had gotten hooked like the rest he would have been a regular, I guess he’s just either got much more willpower or his job prevented him doing so.”

“Hmm, oh. It’s Stampy.”

Of course the stallion's name wasn’t Stampy, it was just another nickname like most ponies had. Butter Stamp was one of the many Pegasus ponies employed by the mail service to deliver around the city. It just so happened that his route included most of Bronclyn. He pulled a few letters out of his bag and dropped them on the counter.

“Morning to you two, this one needs a signature. Sign here please.” he said, quickly dispensing with the pleasantries and presenting a small slip on a clipboard which Pinny signed for. He picked it up. There was a small note on the top of the envelope that told Stampy he needed to get it signed for as proof of delivery.

“How come? Usually packages have to be signed for. Not letters?” Pinny asked.

“I think you’ll find once you open it that letter isn’t just a bill. Keep it safe. See you both around.” he said, closing his saddlebags and turning for the door. Cookie however wasn’t going to let him leave without something and she nudged Pinny, who magically levitated a couple of biscuits towards him to take.

“Here! I know delivering all the mail is rather tiring.” Cookie said with a smile.

With a smile back, the stallion left with the baked goods and took off into the sky, presumably to his next delivery.

“You know we probably shouldn’t be giving him the treats, he’ll get too fat to fly.” Pinny commented.

“He’ll be fine. So uh…” she said, nodding her head towards the letter that was now safely under the counter. “Do you want to open it?”

“What now? Can’t it wait? We have customers.” Pinny replied, but for the moment the morning rush was over and Doughy seemed preoccupied serving a few remaining near-blobs at the hatch. “Oh, fine. I can tell you’re excited.” he said, picking it up and flipping it over.

“That’s odd...what is it?” Cookie asked, looking at a rather large red coloured blob on the back which appeared to have a stamp on it.

“It’s a wax seal. That’s rather old school and well, that might be what Stampy was talking about. The only things with wax seals on these days tend to come from either royalty or ponies who are so high class we’d basically be insignificant specs to them.” he said, observing the seal. “But this appears to be royalty. Look at the stamp.” Pinny said.

The stamp was rather intricate, even in wax. It very obviously though from a glance showed the royal seal of the four Princesses.

“Oh gosh, and there’s my nerves again.” Cookie said. “You read it.”

Pinny didn’t even comment this time, he just opened up the letter and started to read the main body of the text. The address indicated it had come from Ponyville. The top middle of the letter bared the same seal that was on the wax.

Cookie Crumble and Rolling Pin,

I would like to thank you both for the delicious treats you sold to me a number of days ago. It made a rather hectic and busy visit to Manehattan much more bearable.

At your earliest convenience, please respond to the address below. Your confectionery alongside one of my friends baking is some of the best I have ever tasted and I would like a small selection of my close friends (and myself) the chance to experience it for the first time and again.

Expenses will be covered, I would very much appreciate it if with the box of goodies you included a cost, which will be paid to you as soon as possible. A variety selection of what you believe is your best work would be ideal.

Twilight Sparkle

Princess of Friendship

“Well...that answers that.” said a rather astonished Pinny.

“It WAS her! I knew it!” Cookie exclaimed. “Oh, oh, we better make sure that we make her the very best!” she carried on.

“Does that mean going back to using one hundred percent of the sugar?” Pinny asked, sighing. Already it seemed the reduction was going out the window. What were they going to do with all that regular sugar they bought…

“Of course! She’s a Princess! She’ll notice!” Cookie replied. Already her mind was starting to race thinking of what she could put together in what would be the greatest and most tastiest box of treats Cookie would ever bake. She was going to make sure that Princess Twilight got only the best.

“That doesn’t mean we have to stop our plan for the bakery though, right?” Pinny asked. He could see already that all the worry and fear had evaporated from Cookie, who was somewhat caught up in the moment of having her baking be so good that Princess Twilight herself had asked for a special order.

“Well, let's put it on hold for a little bit. I want our customers to eat like a Princess!” she squeed. Oh well, it was a good idea for the entire day it lasted. Pinny had to admit to himself it was rather unexpected that she had sent a letter asking for a box of treats. He had hoped she would have made it back so he could have asked the robed mare who she really was, but the letter was proof enough. He and Cookie knew. In this situation, with the ingredients they were using, distance was probably a good thing.