Upper Crust

There was a knock at the castle door.

“Sign here.” the pony said, thrusting the pad at Spike. The small dragon was no stranger to getting deliveries to the castle. He wordlessly signed the pad and pulled the box inside, watching the delivery pony vanish.

“Spike!?”

The familiar yell of Twilight with one of her many lines of inquiry always started with his name. It always seemed to make him turn around and answer her though.

“Yes Twilight?”

“Can you get a letter to...wait, what is this?” she asked, seeing the small wooden case that had been dropped off just moments ago.

“Well, it's a package. It’s marked as being sent from Manehattan to you. Nothing else. It smells good though.” he said, sniffing the air near the box with his nostrils as Twilight flew near and landed besides him.

“Oh, well it’s not gems Spike. I came across a bakery there and asked me to send me something for the girls as I didn’t have time to bring it back myself.” Twilight explained.

“Oh, no gems? Shame. Pony bakeries should really cater for dragons.” he said, huffing and vanishing off into the castle to do some other task. As far as he was concerned he had done his job.

Twilight giggled to herself. ‘They actually sent a package! Quickly too!’ she thought to herself, pleased that the bakery had come through. But a question was now playing on her mind. Would she share with her friends like she intended, or keep it all to herself? She prised open the box and looked inside, her own nostrils being assaulted by the delicious aroma now the lid was off.

There was ten times the amount of food she had bought for herself. Clearly the owners had wanted to make sure there was more than enough for seven ponies. Twilight looked at the goodies, pondering her options. There was more variety too. If it was as good as what she had bought that day her selfishness was taking over a little. She was sure they’d send another box, besides she had better make sure what they had actually sent was fit for her friends. Quick delivery too, if she sent another letter she could probably have another box sent to her within a week. She’d just have to explain to Spike the original delivery wasn’t quite up to standard…

The mare took the box to her room, hiding it. It would be a nice treat to look forward to at the end of the day...but she couldn’t help but take a few snacks from it for herself now.

-

It had been a few days since sending off the box. Business had been so-so, in that it was the same as usual. Cookie and Pinny were not expecting another royal letter so soon.

“Do we open it again? It can’t be another order.” Cookie said, looking at that rather perfectly stamped wax seal on the back.

“Who knows, maybe she’s just thanking us for it. In any case, we’d better open it.” Pinny said, breaking the seal and opening the letter. It was heavier than the last one. When he opened it, he removed a number of bits from inside. Not the safest way to pay ponies, but he assumed being a royal letter nopony dared open it to get at the money. It appeared to be the bits to cover the last delivery and a small tip.

“Well?”

“It’s both.” he replied.

“Both what?”

“A thank you, and another order by the looks of it.” Pinny carried on saying to Cookie, who saw her face fall a bit.

“Already?” she asked.

“I guess she and her friends really liked them, it’s not hard to see why.” Pinny said. “Look I’ll just read it to you.”

Cookie Crumble and Rolling Pin,

Once more I would like to thank you for the amazing treats you baked. They went down wonderfully at Ponyville Castle. To that end, I’d like to make another request.

At your earliest convenience, please can you prepare another batch for the castle? This time I’d like to request two cases, or double the amount from last time. I’d also like to request if you have more treats for us to try that was not included in this batch? We are excited to see what else you offer. Payment will once again be sent via letter.

Twilight Sparkle

Princess of Friendship

“Oh dear.” Cookie said. She saw Pinny raise an eyebrow already.

“Oh dear because…?” he asked.

“Because clearly, we’ve now addicted her to the goodies. As well as her friends! She asked for two boxes this time and even more treats.” Cookie replied.

“But she’s paid us, and now is going to pay us twice as much for another order.” Pinny countered.

“Yes Pinny, but if we keep sending them our baking, it’s going to have an affect.” Cookie replied.

“It already has, she’s asked for more. Besides, we said we need the money and were hoping she’d ask for more, so what’s the problem?” he asked.

“Because of who she is, Pinny, we went over this. What are we going to do in six months when she’s as big as a house and they find out it's all our doing?” Cookie asked.

“Maybe...maybe this might be how it is okay.” Pinny pondered.

“What?”

“Well, what if she loves it so much she actually venerates us instead? You know, thanks us for introducing her to all this good stuff?” Pinny asked.

“Are you KIDDING?” Cookie blurted out, lowering her voice so the other customers in the bakery didn’t pay attention to their conversation almost immediately. “Why on Equestria would that happen!?”

“Well, we can’t not send her the goodies Cookie. She’s a Princess. Plus I imagine now she’d just get some of her staff to come down here if we don’t send it anyway. We’re kinda stuck and just have to hope that it turns out okay when it’s all over.” he explained.

“Oh...damn you and your logic!” Cookie said. “We’re talking about this at home tonight, I can’t go over it in detail now.” she huffed, heading to the back to bake more goodies.

“Very well dear.” Pinny sighed. As much as he loved Cookie, sometimes she didn’t always see how things may turn out. To Pinny, it was obvious. Twilight was going to get fat. Massive even, in fact. But by then, other ponies would be too. It wasn’t going to be so bad as Cookie was making it out in her head. They hadn’t even discussed the idea again of bringing the sugar content back down. It seemed now, it was here to stay, for better or for worse.