Pineapple Pizza tossed the dough over his head with his forehooves, spinning it just so so it flattened into the ideal shape. At a nearby table, Beacon Fire and Frost Glide watched on with interest.

“You sure your family is going to be fine with you borrowing their kitchen for lunch?” Beacon asked, watching the dough spiral up and fall back down.

“Of course! I think they’re happy I still kept the family talent for this stuff,” Pineapple replied. He set the dough on a wooden pizza peel on the counter. He set to work pouring and then smoothing oil across the crust.

Frost snorted. “I thought the only thing you got from your family was your nose?” she asked. Beacon snickered.

“Very funny,” Pineapple replied, pouring sauce across the pizza. “I mean that, even for a munitions expert, I can still cook a mean pizza.”

“Sure hope so, I’m starving,” Beacon remarked.

“How long does it usually take?” Frost asked.

“Ten minutes if the oven is good and hot,” Pineapple said, adding freshly grated mozzarella over the sauce. After almost none of the sauce was visible, he used the wooden peel to carry the pizza over and set it into the waiting brick oven.

Setting a timer atop the oven, he dusted his hooves off on his apron and went to join his friends.

“Let’s hope the oven is good and hot then,” Frost remarked.

The trio sat waiting, talking amongst themselves. After a few minutes, Beacon sniffed the air and sighed.

“Oh yeah, I think you still got it,” she said.

“Smells great, Pineapple,” Frost agreed.

As the timer rang out, Pineapple hopped to his hooves and went to fetch the peel. Then, after some proper slicing and dicing, it would be lunchtime!

Creek Shine sat on the sofa, eyes wandering the pages of her book eagerly. It was something a friend of a friend had recommended to her, and she had to admit she was hooked.

Aptly titled “Daring Do,” it chronicled the adventures of a Pegasus who, for some reason or another, was always in a bind after pursuing some ancient treasure. And, for whatever reason (Creek mostly thought it was to amp up the danger level) Daring Do was often without the aid of her wings. Not the end of the world for most Pegasi, but rather pesky when on an adventure.

Her ear flicked as she heard the door open and close. She glanced up to see it was Pile, and she flashed him a smile. “Good day at work?” she asked.

“Tough jobs, but we got it done,” Pile replied with a sigh.

Creek went back to reading, but she felt the sofa shift next to her. She didn’t glance up until she felt a chitin muzzle nuzzling her neck floof. She let out a small giggle as the muzzle trailed up and planted a light kiss against her cheek.

“Need a pick-me-up?” she asked, smirking at him.

“I could use a top off, yes,” Pile said with a chuckle.

Creek set down her book, turned to her coltfriend (lingfriend?) and pulled him in closer with her magic. The kirin planted a firm kiss against his lips, and Pile leaned into it. As much as he could without wrapping his forelegs around her, anyway.

When she pulled away, she giggled at the slightly flushed changeling. “Better?”

Pile smacked his lips and grinned. “My favorite snack.”

Author's Note

Pineapple Pizza: Male, Earth pony

About: A munitions specialist in the Royal Guard. A close friend and comrade of Beacon Fire, who hails from a family of chefs. His talented nose comes in handy when smelling out explosives.

Appearances: Ponyville Noire: Frost and Fire, Plastic Mare Volume Two (Upcoming)

Frost Glide: Female, Thestral (Batpony)/Pegasus (Tomorrowverse Continuity)

About: A reconnaissance specialist in the Royal Guard. A close friend and comrade of Beacon Fire, who specializes in silent flight and nighttime reconnaissance. Her keen sense of hearing comes in handy.

Appearances: Ponyville Noire: Frost and Fire, Plastic Mare Volume Two (Upcoming)