Tea Cake

Pinkie Pie trotted through Ponyville toward Sugarcube Corner with more excitement than usual. She had been waiting for this day for the past week, and it was an agonizingly long week. She could not hear the galloping hooves of the other ponies against the dirt or the small talk they were making that morning. Pinkie could only focus on arriving at the bakery. Mr. Cake's niece Tea Cake was coming all the way from New Horseleans to visit the Ponyville branch of the Cake family. Pinkie could not wait to meet the new pony.

"Good morning, Pinkie," said Mrs. Cake as Pinkie walked through the door. She was loading the display case with a fresh batch of red velvet cupcakes. They smelled delicious. Pinkie's mouth started to water as she thought about the sweet cream cheese frosting. Oh, how she wanted one of those cupcakes!

Pinkie shook her head. "Good morning, Mrs. Cake," she said cheerfully. She couldn't become distracted by the cupcakes, no matter how scrumptious they looked and smelled. Today is an important day, Pinkie thought to herself. She was on a mission to meet a new pony and become very best friends with her. If she was in luck, she could use her party cannon to celebrate. "Is Tea Cake here yet?" she asked.

"Did someone say my name?" Pinkie turned around to see Mr. Cake and a young unicorn enter the bakery. The unicorn had a light brown coat with a caramel-colored mane and tail. She was wearing a lilac sundress and carrying luggage and a basket that had a caramel-like aroma coming from it. Pinkie started to jump up and down in delight.

"You're here!" Pinkie squealed. "I've been waiting so long to meet you. I haven't slept at all last night, between the anticipation and preparing a party to welcome you to Ponyville. Oh!" Pinkie stopped and realized that she hasn't introduced herself yet. "I'm Pinkie Pie."

"It's nice to meet you, Pinkie Pie," said Tea Cake. "The train just pulled in this morning, so I am just now seeing Ponyville… and Sugarcube Corner." Tea Cake looked around the bakery with wonder in her eyes. She had a quiet voice that reminded Pinkie Pie of Fluttershy. "Would you like a praline?" asked Tea Cake as she turned her attention back to Pinkie Pie. "I brought them from my father's bakery."

"My brother, King Cake, has the most successful bakery in New Horseleans," Mr. Cake told Pinkie. "He makes the best pralines. It's an old family recipe." Pinkie remembered that Mr. Cake told her about his brother's award-winning pralines when he first announced that Tea Cake was coming to town. Pinkie dreamed about sampling the famous sweets for the rest of the week.

"Are you kidding! YES!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. This is what I've been waiting for! Tea Cake opened the basket that she was carrying and used her magic to give a praline to Pinkie. Pinkie Pie bit into the candy immediately. The creamy caramel, pecan goodness overwhelmed Pinkie's taste buds. She had never tasted any candy like it before. "It's amazing!" she screamed while bouncing off of the walls.

"You were right," Tea Cake, a bit frightened, whispered to her aunt. "It was a good idea not to bring the coffee-flavored pralines."

"That's our Pinkie Pie for you," replied Mrs. Cake in a comforting manner. "She loves her desserts." Pinkie started to calm down after a few seconds of bouncing.

"That was so good," Pinkie said with that crazy look in her eyes that she normally gets around sweets. "I want more!" She reached out for the basket.

"No, that's enough," said Mr. Cake as he pulled Pinkie away from the rest of the goods on the counter. "We are going to make them last, and the twins haven't tried any of their uncle's candy before."

"Where are the twins?" asked Tea Cake. She looked around the room again. "I haven't seen my baby cousins since the Cake family reunion in Manehatten, and that was many moons ago." Pinkie also wondered where Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake were. They're usually awake and galloping around by then.

"They're still sleeping in their cribs," answered Mrs. Cake.

"It must be amazing to live and work at one of the best bakeries in all of Equestria!" Pinkie told Tea Cake.

"It is great at times," said Tea Cake looking at the floor with a hint of sadness in her voice, "but it can become very crowded during the day. That is what I like about Sugarcube Corner so far. The atmosphere is small and quiet. I've never seen a bakery so relaxing before, but I guess that we are not in the city right now. I love it." She smiled as she said the latter sentence.

"You're really going to love Ponyville," said Mr. Cake. He looked at Tea Cake with sympathy. "I'll take your luggage up to the guest room, and Pinkie can show you around town." He picked up a couple of bags and made his way up the wooden stairs.

"I would love to show you around Ponyville," said Pinkie bouncing again. She thought of all of the ponies that she could introduce to Tea Cake. Tea Cake's wearing a dress, so she must love fashion. Rarity would be the perfect pony for her to meet. She might also like Sweet Apple Acres since she finds the countryside relaxing, and I'm sure she will get off on the right hoof with Fluttershy. This is going to be so much fun! Wait! I'm supposed to watch the foals while Mrs. Cake bakes a huge order today. She stopped springing and turned to Mrs. Cake suddenly. "Do you not need my help with the bakery and the twins?"

"We can manage for the day. Go have fun," replied Mrs. Cake. She walked back into the kitchen to get more desserts for the display.

Pinkie, with a huge grin, grabbed Tea Cake by the hoof. "Let's go then!" She dragged the unicorn behind her as they exited the bakery. Pinkie Pie knew the perfect pony that Tea Cake should visit first to meet new friends. There's no better pony to introduce her to than the one and only Princess of Friendship.